Electrical plug and methods for testing an electrical mains socket and an electrical mains plug

An electrical testing system for testing an electrical mains socket, the testing system comprising:

• an electrical plug comprising a first pin for inserting into a first pin receptor of the electrical mains socket and a second pin for inserting into a second pin receptor of the electrical mains socket,
• wherein the first pin comprises first and second electrical contacts, each comprising a surface portion to electrically engage with a different respective region of an inner surface of the first pin receptor of the electrical mains socket when the first pin is inserted into the first pin receptor, the first and second electrical contacts being electrically isolated from one another at the first pin, and
• wherein the second pin comprises third and fourth electrical contacts, each comprising a surface portion to electrically engage with a different respective region of an inner surface of the second pin receptor of the electrical mains socket when the second pin is inserted into the second pin receptor, the third and fourth electrical contacts being electrically isolated from one another at the second pin;
• a first circuit connected to the first and second electrical contacts and configured to measure a first electrical resistance therebetween;
• and
• a second circuit connected to the third and fourth electrical contacts and configured to measure a second electrical resistance therebetween.

A method of testing an electrical mains socket comprising a first pin receptor and a second pin receptor, the method comprising:

• providing an electrical plug comprising a first pin for inserting into the first pin receptor of the electrical mains socket and a second pin for inserting into a second pin receptor of the electrical mains socket,
• wherein the first pin comprises first and second electrical contacts, each comprising a surface portion to electrically engage with a different respective region of an inner surface of the first pin receptor when the first pin is inserted into the first pin receptor, the first and second electrical contacts being electrically isolated from one another at the first pin, and
• wherein the second pin comprises third and fourth electrical contacts, each comprising a surface portion to electrically engage with a different respective region of an inner surface of the second pin receptor of the electrical mains socket when the second pin is inserted into the second pin receptor, the third and fourth electrical contacts being electrically isolated from one another at the second pin;
• engaging each pin with the respective pin receptor to make electrical contact therewith;
• and
• measuring a first electrical resistance between the first and second electrical contacts and a second electrical resistance between the third and fourth electrical contacts.