Plugs and sockets

Read the following texts and fill in the gaps. Use the words given in boxes:

(1)

Power plugs and (1)__________ are devices for (2) __________ electrically-operated devices to the power supply.

An (3) __________ plugis an electrical (4) __________ with a contact pin that is connected to a (5) __________. Wall sockets are also known as power points, power sockets or electrical outlets. They are electrical connectors that have holes which accept and deliver (6) __________ to the pins of inserted plugs. Sockets are (7) __________ to accept only matching plugs and reject all others. To reduce the (8) __________ of injury or death by electric shock, some plug and socket (9) __________ incorporate various safety features and design aspects.

An electrical (10)__________ between discrete points allows the flow of electrons (electric current). A pair of connections is needed for a circuit. The connection may be of two (11) __________ – temporary (as for portable equipment that can be removed) and permanent (as for electrical joint between two wires or devices).

An (12) __________ connector is a conductive device for joining electrical circuits together. There are hundreds of types of electrical connectors. Connectors may join two lengths of flexible wire or cable, or may (13) __________ a wire or (14) __________ to an electrical terminal.

(2)

(1) __________ and socket connectors are usually made up of a male plug and a female socket. Although, hermaphroditic connectors also exist. Plugs generally have one or more (2) __________ that are inserted into holes in a (3) __________. The (4) __________ between the metal parts must be sufficiently (5) __________ to make a good electrical connection and complete the circuit. When working with multi-pin connectors, it is helpful to have a pin-out diagram to identify the wire or circuit node connected to each pin.

A power (6)__________ is an electrical connector designed to carry a significant amount of (7) __________ power, usually as DC or low-frequency AC. There are (8) __________ main AC power types: mains power plugs (principally used for connecting (9) __________ to wall outlets) and industrial power plugs (used for (10) __________ equipment on plants or manufactures) that are normally larger than mains plugs. Connectors carrying small amounts of power are (11) __________ as signal connectors.