Paper Bits on Mains Plugs

Tesla · 31 May 2006 at 11:03

When you buy a new product that connects to the mains they usually have a paper template stuck over the metal contacts on the mains plugs.

Basically has a wiring diagram of inside the plug.

I was wondering, is it dangerous to leave these on? I always throw them away but notice that the majority of my customers do not and leave them on.

woodsy2k · 31 May 2006 at 11:06

I suppose that if the plug started to spark, then it might have something to say about starting a fire, Althougha spark is able to melt plastic over periods of time so No i dont think it will matter that much mate

riddlermarc · 31 May 2006 at 11:06

I pretty much always leave them on, purely because I cba to remove them and I've never had a plug catch light. If it were a problem I'm sure there would be a big "WARNING: REMOVE PAPER BEFORE USING" warning on it..

basmic · 31 May 2006 at 11:06

Perfectly fine to leave them.

I usually do, in case anybody needs it as a reference.

kaiowas · 31 May 2006 at 11:06

I can't see that there's any danger although I tend to remove them as well. If the pins heat up enough to cause the paper to burn you've got problems whether it's there or not!

Aod · 31 May 2006 at 11:07

completely safe to leave them on.

they're there for referance when re-wiring the plug.

<edit> whoa, 4 replies in the same minute </edit>

Sputnik II · 31 May 2006 at 11:07

Well, Card is an insulator so cant see it would be dangerous unless it got wet.

Nismo · 31 May 2006 at 11:07

I leave them on, my GF's dad takes them off.

Either way , never had a problem and once you know how to wire a plug its not needed anyway.

KnightStalker · 31 May 2006 at 11:07

cant imagine they are dangerous at all, but i generally tell all my friends and family to take them off just incase something freakish happening

Adam_151 · 31 May 2006 at 11:30

I suppose the only possible forseeable problem is if its humid and the paper soaks up moisture, then its possible that current could track through it, but as modern plugs have the base of the pins sheathed, then this couldn't really happen anyway.

I take them off... I know full well how to wire a plug and I think they look messy, its part of the packageing afterwall, we dont leave the plastic cover on our TFT screens, or phone screens, do we?