Why are sockets switched?
I don't know the actual reason but it makes it much safer to plug the iron in when it doesn't have a plug on it, just an inch or so of bare wire at the end of the cable. You use a plastic tail comb in the earth socket to pop the shutters then shove the wires in the live and neutral sockets. Pull out the comb and the shutters hold the wires in place. That's what my mum used to do when I was a kid. I've no idea why the iron didn't have a plug on it. The hairdryer had a plug which plugged into a ceiling light socket.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
