DTC Scanner.

oldagetraveller1

I have recently purchased a fairly basic OBDII DTC scanner. "Launch" something!

I noticed that two of the pins, 4 and 5 (both earth connections) are slightly longer than the rest of them.

I have asked the seller why and all they have answered is "for protection".

Is anyone able to expand further on that "reason"?

Thanks.

Uxb1

Probably the same reason the earth pin on domestic electric plugs is longer.
So the earth is the very last connection to be disconnected when the plug is withdrawn, so the earth remains connected until all the other connections are disconnected and the item is no longer "live"

Car_54

Uxb1 said:

Probably the same reason the earth pin on domestic electric plugs is longer.
So the earth is the very last connection to be disconnected when the plug is withdrawn, so the earth remains connected until all the other connections are disconnected and the item is no longer "live"

The earth on a 13-Amp plug serves another (more important?) purpose.
The shutters on the live and neutral terminals cannot open until the earth pin is inserted.
This prevents small brats electrocuting themselves, at least until they're dextrous enough to insert two objects simultaneously.

oldagetraveller1

That's the most likely reason Mr Bomb!

My concern was/is that the longer pins might damage their corresponding counterparts in the socket.

Other OBD plugs I have encountered have pins all of the same length.