If the 2-prong plug has two equally sized pins, as shown in the image above, then it is not polarized. ![]() The best way to tell if your plug is polarized or not is to look at it. The rounded end of the pin is there so you cannot insert the plug into the connector incorrectly. You can see, in the image above, that on a polarized plug on one side is a straight blade pin and the other has a more rounded end on the pin. When plugged in, the electricity enters your plug through the hot wire prong and then exits through the neutral prong, to complete the circuit. When looking at a polarized household plug, shown in detail on our NEMA chart, (NEMA 1-15P), the smaller of the two prongs is a hot wire and the other is neutral. You cannot tell which prong is the hot side and which is the neutral side, because the metal pins are the same. ![]() The larger of the two pins is connected to the white wire and the grounding pin on a 3-prong plug is connected to the green wire.Ī plug with two prongs of the exact same shape and size is considered non-polarized. The hot pin on a polarized plug is the smaller of the two pins and is connected to the black wire on the inside of your plug and cable. To learn more about plugs and receptacles read our preview post here. Both the polarized and non-polarized 2-prong household plugs will fit into your 3-prong, standard household outlet/receptacle. Some machines require polarized plugs for proper functioning.Ī commonly asked question is " Why does my 2-prong style plug have different sized metal pins?" (Shown in the image below.) The answer is because it is polarized. They are used to help ensure the complete circle of electricity in a circuit, keeping the hot-wired pin on the hot-wired side of the outlet and the same for the neutral side and pin. In North America, with a 110V circuit, polarized outlets and plugs are used as a safety feature.
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