Duraplug, I didn't expect this

[Kilo Tango]

I plugged in my extension cable, did some work and came to pull the plug out. The plug top came off leaving the section with the pins still in the wall socket. I am not aware of it having been hit or damaged but its not very safe.

Ken

[hexreader]

I would think that Duraplug is a reputable company, and to give benefit of doubt, maybe this is a rare failure of quality.

If you can be bothered to post the failed plug (maybe with a few centimetres of cord still attached) to Duraplug HQ, you might strike lucky and get an apology letter and a load of freebies as compensation. EDIT- or maybe just email these photos.... ?

Only guessing though.....

If it was me, I would be far too lazy to go to the trouble, but maybe you are made of better stuff

Feel free to ignore this thought if you want to.

[Cyberdragon]

I don't think this is just a freak incident, it looks like a severe design flaw. Look at the screws, there's no place for them to screw in on the top part. It looks like it was just glued on or something.

[hexreader]

I don't think this is just a freak incident, it looks like a severe design flaw. Look at the screws, there's no place for them to screw in on the top part. It looks like it was just glued on or something.

The top is meant to be held on by just a single large screw. The problem is that the design relies on a very strong circular surround around the large square-ish central brass lug.

The plug looks very old - maybe the design has been improved since. Or maybe the design is OK, but the plastic moulding was imperfect for this batch.

I see that Duraplug is part of MK industries, and both are well regarded and trusted companies with a great reputation. I would be interested to know what response MK/Duraplug might give.

[coppice]

Is that a genuine Duraplug? In the Duraplugs I've seen the cover wraps right around the cable. They really annoy people who fit the bulk of the plug to a cable, only to realise the have to remove it again to slide the cover over the cable. 

[wraper]

I am not aware of it having been hit or damaged but its not very safe.

Then how would you explain this piece of plastic ended up on opposite side? IMO there was some huge impact.

[amyk]

Then how would you explain this piece of plastic ended up on opposite side?

Umm... think about how the two pieces fit together...

[wraper]

Then how would you explain this piece of plastic ended up on opposite side?

Umm... think about how the two pieces fit together...

Maybe try to think yourself? How the part which is not mechanically attached to the other side ended up there? For in to break off, there must be huge sideways impact. If it was just lug breaking off, this would never happen.

[mikeselectricstuff]

Is that a genuine Duraplug? In the Duraplugs I've seen the cover wraps right around the cable. They really annoy people who fit the bulk of the plug to a cable, only to realise the have to remove it again to slide the cover over the cable. 

People don't remove it, they just cut a slot!
I think they subsequently changed the design to avoid this issue.

[coppice]

Is that a genuine Duraplug? In the Duraplugs I've seen the cover wraps right around the cable. They really annoy people who fit the bulk of the plug to a cable, only to realise the have to remove it again to slide the cover over the cable. 

People don't remove it, they just cut a slot!

yes, I know. I was being idealistic. 

I think they subsequently changed the design to avoid this issue.

[drussell]

Then how would you explain this piece of plastic ended up on opposite side?

Umm... think about how the two pieces fit together...

Indeed...

Maybe try to think yourself? How the part which is not mechanically attached to the other side ended up there? For in to break off, there must be huge sideways impact. If it was just lug breaking off, this would never happen.

Huh?  The orange part is shown flipped over from the way it mates to the black part.

The orange part broke in several places.

[rrinker]

 I suppose that's better than pulling a plug out and having the plastic surround on the socket side all break away, exposing the blades of the socket as recently happened on a couple of my outlets. I need to replace all of them in the house as they are all cheap quality ones and very few actually hold the plugs securely, they are so worn out. Strange where people skimp to save a few bucks to upgrade something else.

[Monkeh]

Then how would you explain this piece of plastic ended up on opposite side?

Umm... think about how the two pieces fit together...

Indeed...

Maybe try to think yourself? How the part which is not mechanically attached to the other side ended up there? For in to break off, there must be huge sideways impact. If it was just lug breaking off, this would never happen.

Huh?  The orange part is shown flipped over from the way it mates to the black part.

The orange part broke in several places.

It does not attach in any way around the terminal. It also shouldn't be brittle.

[TerraHertz]

It's old, the plastic became brittle. Possibly add a few sharp impacts in its life history. The design is poor, and relies on that one central fixing where the square post was molded into a plastic post. Plastic not thick enough, and allows single point of failure. Finally it failed.

Nothing new here. Not even if that was a deliberate lifetime-limiting feature, to maintain plug sales in future. Though I doubt it was that.

[wraper]

Huh?  The orange part is shown flipped over from the way it mates to the black part.

The orange part broke in several places.

This is protrusion which rests around the terminal. However there is no any attachment between them. For it to break, top and bottom parts must move sideways regarding to each other. But this is impossible by construction (even if lug is broken) unless there is some huge force applied sideways.