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What is the difference between 3 and 4 Pin IEC320 C14 Power Sockets?

Looking at the picture attached from reseller I cannot see what the 4th pin serves and I cannot find a description anywhere short of just buying one and figuring it out.

Perhaps the fourth pin functions to be always live even when the switch is off?

enter image description here

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the switch is not electrically connected to the socket and fuse.

it also looks like those pins are on the back of the switch.

It's probably isolated and non-isolated switch illumination. the data-sheet will say for sure.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ I cannot find a datasheet however what you say makes sense and that's probably it. non-isolated switch illumination is that just the light can be disabled? \$\endgroup\$
    – user132893
    Commented May 25, 2019 at 10:25
  • \$\begingroup\$ with three pins the light is common to one of the switch pins, with 4 pins two pins for the light and 2 for the switch. \$\endgroup\$
    – Jasen Слава Україні
    Commented May 25, 2019 at 10:28
  • \$\begingroup\$ oh I see now thanks. \$\endgroup\$
    – user132893
    Commented May 25, 2019 at 10:31
  • \$\begingroup\$ No the 4 pin switch is a dual pole on off switch. It must be used to switch both live and neutral, as you have no control over in which way the user has connected the mains plug to wall socket \$\endgroup\$
    – Justme
    Commented May 25, 2019 at 12:22
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Justme I see yes that makes sense as good extra safety requirement if the live and neutral are incorrectly wired. \$\endgroup\$
    – user132893
    Commented May 25, 2019 at 13:20

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