Why can some (US) outlets fit a plug from either way you put it in, but some plugs have a fatter and skinnier prong?
In: 8026
Extra safety.
As long as your house is properly wired, the dangerous “hot” wire will be connected to the narrow side. The wide side will be the safer neutral wire that won’t shock you.
Designers of small appliances and other plug-in devices consider this when designing their devices to be safe. They may take measures such as putting extra insulation on the hot wire, putting the on/off switch on the hot wire, or routing wires so the hot wire is less likely to make contact with the case if it happens to break.
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