Plugs where one blade is wider than the other can be annoying, but they'll also keep you a lot safer. Here's why they're like ...

Ever tried to plug in an appliance, only to realize you had the plug backwards on the first try? Modern outlets use this lopsided design for a reason.

Not all outlet holes are the same, and there's a reason for that. The shapes (vertical slots, round holes, T-slots, etc.) correspond to specific electrical functions and safety features. Take the ...

You find yourself in an airport or hotel room in another country, and you really need to charge your phone, camera or game system. But what is that strange-looking outlet? It has round holes! And ...

Northumbria University design graduate Will de Brett has redesigned the everyday electrical plug, making it pin-less and stackable to accommodate numerous devices. Mi Plug uses wireless charging to ...

We use plugs every day, but most of us don't spend a lot of time thinking about them. We know that there are various electrical plug types, even if we're not familiar with the ins and outs of all of ...

This article about electrical outlets is republished here with permission from The Conversation. This content is shared here because the topic may interest Snopes readers; it does not, however, ...