Plug ins or (ends?)

[MidwestGirl]

so I just went to plug my little fan in here at work and I never seem to have the plug going the right way into outlet...so here is my question. Why did they change the "old" prongs to a small and big one? I mean I know it's been this way for awhile...but it just bugs me sometimes :

[Kathryn]

I donno if this is the reason or not but this is what I have noticed...
With the old plugs they seem to fall out of the wall for me. The newer plugs seem to stay in the wall.. I donno the real answer but thats what I have noticed :-\

[MTI]

The "polarized" plug, with one larger blade (ground) than the other. The system, along with the modern recepticles, makes all devices use the same side of the circuit as the ground/earth.

[MidwestGirl]

I don't know what you just said ..but I will go with it ;D

[MTI]

Electricity travels in a loop called a circuit. One side of the plug, the short side, is the "supply" side of the circuit. The supply side of the circuit has a natural tendency to seek the "ground" side, also known as the "earth" side. That principle is why lightning (nature's electricity) seeks to strike something like a tree, rooftop or person that is the "ground." Electrical items with motors, electrical circuits and the like, protect their workings by making sure that the circuit travels in one direction. Items like traditional incandecent lamps do not require the polarized plug.

[MidwestGirl]

thanks MTI. So before these plugs came along we just used dangerous plugs? Sorry I am just full of questions ;D

[MTI]

thanks MTI. So before these plugs came along we just used dangerous plugs? Sorry I am just full of questions ;D

Yes, actually there is a higher risk of a short or shock from the appliances that have the non-polarized plugs. For those that have older homes with older wiring, they should consider identifying the household circuits that control plugs in the kitchen, bathroom, outdoors or any other place where they could be exposed to moisture or water and, if they don't already, either replace the plugs with GFI (ground fault interrupt) plugs or replace the existing electrical breaker in the main panel with a GFI breaker.

[Samson]

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Electrical_plug

Maybe I'm biased but the British Plugs don't " fall out " like the continental plugs.

Doubt that's going to change the Americas though eh !!