"Skinny Pins"

German/Chinese plugs depend on a spring system to hold the plug in connection with the IGS or spool/box. In older well used plugs, these springs become compressed, and may result in a poor connection with the ground lead. This condition is known as "skinny pins".

A simple fix is to use the blade of a small screwdriver to lever open the springs so that they are once more in contact with the sockets.

Regrettably in some of the cheeper body wires, the manufacturers have not grasped the purpose of these springs, and they are being sold unformed with the springs compressed at the base of the plug.