This answer rings truest to me as well.

ah, same vibe as "I'm not locked in here with you, you're locked in here with me"

Why not both?

Primarily for not scratching surfaces, but with a side benefit of not needing to be packed as carefullly.

Exactly.

You commonly get plastic protectors like that with UK plugs which have squarish metal pins with hard corners - example - but I don't remember ever seeing any such things coming with EU plugs, of which there are two two types but both with all pins having round tips - example.

This is consistent with the explanation that those plastic covers are to protect everything else from the plug pins, hence why they come on plugs whose pins have tips with hard corners that more easilly perforate or shred things but not on those with tips which are rounded.

In the specific example of this post, two of the pins are have hard corners and although the other does not, the plastic protector covers all 3 probably because it's just a more stable fit (and it looks better) if it slots in all 3 than in only the more dangerous 2 even if it's not doing much for the round pin.

Yeah, it keeps the cheese 🍕 from sticking to the box.

I’m of the opinion that it’s just to improve the perception of package quality. I don’t see those cheap plastic pieces as keeping the prongs from accidentally warping or bending but I guess they could keep moisture away. I’ve never received a corroded set of prongs before their use though so my theory stands as they are upping the packaging visual aesthetics.

Could it be to protect the rest of the item from getting scratched by the prongs? Especially a screen, or some soft/glossy plastic case that would be prone to scratches.

Edit: I submitted this right after Hylactor's top comment and I agree with them!

I've been buying electrical and electronic things for years (okay decades), and the toys and computers I got as a kid never had these. The cords are always nicely coiled in their own cavity of the box too, so already protected well enough.

All in all it just seems like a solution to a non-existent problem.

It may also protect against accidental contact. Like if the prongs lay across something metal with a voltage differential, it could be a problem.

but a simple plastic bag would be enough for that?

I guess you could say they're plugging up the discussion!

In all seriousness, it takes more humanity to make a relevant joke than to identify an object in an image, analyze the accompanying text, and form a response that answers the question without a trace of a smart-ass tone.

The old sci-fi books were right. You can't teach a robot to laugh. Not in the same way people do, with the tech we currently have, at least.

I just wish more people would be helpful after making their joke, all within the same comment. Keep it engaging and relevant rather than picking just one lane.

Being funny is engaging in conversation though.

Here's an actual bot answer:

Those plastic covers for electrical plugs are typically used to protect the plug prongs when they’re not in use. They help prevent the prongs from getting bent, damaged, or exposed to dirt and debris. Plus, they can minimize the risk of accidentally touching the prongs and getting a static shock.

And here's a joke that I asked ChatGPT to make:

Ah, those little plastic mysteries—probably just trying to keep the plugs warm in the winter!

I guess it is a good thing that this is seen as a problem worthy of addressing. I tend to comment more than I would have on reddit, as a means of just driving up activity and engagement on this comparatively low traffic alternative, and so I will definitely go in for some low effort joke cracking just to get the ball rolling sometimes. Maybe that's not as needed anymore.

I recently saw a video on this and they said that the holes are used in manufacturing and showed an example. I'll see if I can find the video.

It's not really what the holes were made for, but there are some extension cords that have a locking feature; a pair of plastic pins moved by a lever that lock into those holes preventing it from unplugging. Handy for dragging power tools around the shop.

The only time I saw one was on a cheap dollar store plug. I immediately thought it was defective.

This is neat info!

There are types of locking extension cords that use them to hold the prongs in. IDK if that's why they're there, but that's what they get used for.

Also, at some point during manufacturing they hang it by the holes.

but then the three cover would be connected at the tip? otherwise the plastic is not strong enough to help against deforming?!