Three-pronged plugs
Seems as though every time I need a three-pronged plug all of mine have sprouted legs and ran off. So, the other day I picked up a few more at the store. None of them seem to fit my cords. The blad...
Forum Discussion
salem wrote:
fj12ryder: My extension cords are probably several years old. I didn't realize some of the blades had changed sizes. Maybe that's my problem, I need newer cords.
blade and plug sizes haven't change in over 50+ years. Sometime in the 1950's or maybe earlier they went from two prongs of equal width to "polarized" plugs, one prong wider than the other. With the non polarized plugs it was and still is possible for the hot and neutral to be reversed on the device plugged in. you could plug it in either way.
AFAIK all the 3 prong "adapters" or extensions are polarized as well so that the common polarized non grounded plug will work with them.
I have and have run across a few two prong non polarized 1 to 3 adapters
There are still a very few non polarized cords around, christmas tree light cords are one such application. the vast majority are non polarized.
If your talking about wall outlets, the newer "childproof" outlets are a royal PITA, it requires the blades to be plugged in uniformally so that the neutral blade opens the cover on to the hot side.
