Have you ever noticed how some receptacles (and all new ones) have two different size slots? These are polarized receptacles, and they’re the perfect fit for polarized plugs. In each case, one side (the slot of the outlet and one prong of the plug) is larger than the other. This is not done to intentionally annoy you, but if you have an old house, it can be a real inconvenience when plugging in new electrical devices.
A polarized receptacle is constructed so a polarized plug can be inserted only one way. It also ensures that the hot leads and the neutral wires line up from outlet to plug. It might be tempting to file down the larger prong on a polarized plug, but trust me, this is a bad idea, too. These are all parts of a system, and they’re made to work together and be kept intact. This is no place for quick fixes. Either adapt to the limitations of your older electrical system, or bring it up to date.
A polarized receptacle is constructed so a polarized plug can be inserted only one way. It also ensures that the hot leads and the neutral wires line up from outlet to plug. It might be tempting to file down the larger prong on a polarized plug, but trust me, this is a bad idea, too. These are all parts of a system, and they’re made to work together and be kept intact. This is no place for quick fixes. Either adapt to the limitations of your older electrical system, or bring it up to date.
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