The first meaning of plug mentioned in the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) refers to the act and consequence of plugging (generating an electrical connection by fitting two pieces together; combining or adjusting two elements).
The use of the term can be somewhat confusing, since it can refer both to a plug (the piece that has metal rods to insert into the female or socket part and thus establish the connection ) and to the device that receives the plug (called outlet or outlet in some regions). Even the union of both objects is known as a plug.
When the metal rods or pins of the plug are inserted into the corresponding holes in the outlet, an electrical circuit is created. The connection, therefore, enables the circulation of electric current. If we connect the plug of a television to the outlet, for example, we can turn on the device and use it.
The male plug or plug is made of an insulating material, from which the metal rods protrude. Usually this plug constitutes the end of a cable . The outlet or female plug , for its part, is usually embedded in the wall. Its openings include metal parts that, when the male plug is inserted, come into contact with its rods, allowing the passage of current.
When the metal rods of the male plug are removed from the outlet, electrical circulation is interrupted as the circuit is opened. Beyond the plugs, electrical mechanisms have other parts that allow you to manage the use of electricity , such as pushbuttons and switches .
As has happened with so many other concepts in recent decades, today we understand the term plug in a very different way than in the mid-20th century. Given that we are in the era of mobile and wireless devices, each of which may require a specific type of cable and plug to charge their batteries , it is normal that we have a large number of plugs in the home, many of which do not have the traditional look characterized by pegs.
Most devices today include a USB port through which it is possible to connect them to an electrical power source to charge them. Mobile phones are the most common example, but this option applies to a wide variety of devices, such as tablets, cameras, and portable consoles. In all cases, the original cable usually includes an adapter with the appropriate pins to plug it directly into a power outlet. It should be noted that the USB cable has the ability to transmit data and electricity simultaneously, although each version (such as 2.0 and 3.0) has different specifications that we must know before choosing one.
In everyday speech, the term plug is usually used to refer to the job position that a person receives because of their relationship with the person who gives it to them and not because of their merits. A "plugged in" or a "connected person", in this context, is usually frowned upon by society, given that they occupy a position that they have not earned with their effort and dedication, or that they are not even fit to perform.
Plugging a person is not legal, and in each case the authorities pursue those responsible in different ways and with different penalties. The area in which this phenomenon occurs most frequently is politics , although it can occur in any company; Generally, the chain is formed between friends or family, who infiltrate the squad without having to go through a selection process.