Two primary designs for receptacle current contacts?

• A. Double-wipe
• B. Triple-wipe
• C. Double-wipe and triple-wipe
• D. None of the above

Answer: (C)

Wiping action is how the contact surfaces scrub against each other as a plug or insert is mated, cleaning oxidation and debris to create a reliable, low-resistance connection. The two primary designs you’ll encounter are double-wipe and triple-wipe, because designers use two or three wiping passes during mating to keep contact surfaces clean and ensure a stable electrical path.

Double-wipe means the surfaces wipe across each other twice in the engagement cycle, giving solid cleaning and consistent contact force for typical conditions. Triple-wipe adds another wiping pass, offering even greater cleaning and contact reliability in tougher environments or with more challenging finishes. This is why these two configurations are considered the main options for receptacle current contacts.

A single wipe or the idea of “none of the above” don’t align with how manufacturers standardize contact reliability through wiping action, so they aren’t the typical primary designs.