Ozlander wrote:
camperkilgore wrote:
Most of the time reverse polarity plugs present no problem.
Scenario #2: We're using an old trouble light, and the finger accidentally comes in contact with the outside of the metal socket that holds the light bulb in place. The socket is always connected to the neutral wire, so no big deal... unless the trouble light is plugged in to an outlet with reversed polarity. In this case, we'll get a shock. If this happens while we're laying on the garage floor working on a car, there's a good chance that this could be the last shock we ever get. This can also happen with old table lamps that have exposed metal sockets.
Old trouble lights and table lamps can be plugged in either way, so the polarity of the receptacle makes no difference.
Splitting hairs.......
The example suggested above is not the best, but it only demonstrates what might happen when an outlet is reversed. Old trouble lights are not something that wise people use, but there are an awful lot of unwise people out there.
In the old days there were only two pronged outlets, which proved to be unsafe. The National Electrical Code dictated 3 prong outlets in new construction and so lowered the hazard.
If an appliance only has two prongs(and is not an old appliance) the neutral blade of the plug is larger so that it can only be plugged in one way.
This is electrical 101 to many, but some might appreciate this knowledge, and will not nitpick.
