Expecially with, say, an old TV or radio. With new electronic gear,
defeating the plug so you can plug it backwards will usually result in
loss of operations some how; e.g. deficient spike/surge protection on a
laptop, picture problems on a TV set, interference & noise on a radio,
etc..
Personally I've never seen one misused. Anything that's not a proper
Class II appliance always has the polarized blade, proper Class II
devices do not.

Long discussion over nothing though.


"Phisherman" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 26 Oct 2008 21:39:27 -0700 (PDT), marlboroman
wrote:

Has anyone ever figured out why they put one wide and one narrow on a
plug that does not have a ground?

OK, I understand that on a lamp it's a good idea, or the socket shell
and bulb threads will be live if the hot side of the power line is
connected to that part of the socket.

But, lets say I have a all plastic cased electric power tool. (Like
all of them made in the last decade or more). I'm holding plastic,
which does not conduct electricity. It dont matter which side of the
power line goes to which side of the motor on AC. What's the point of
having that wide terminal? Is the only reason to **** off the user,
particularly those of us who are older and dont have the best eyesight
anymore. I cant see any other reason.....

My grinder does a quick job of narrowing that wide prong though !!!
.


The wide blade is the neutral. The smaller blade is the hot side. It
may not make a difference if the two are reversed, but not always.