The US uses two standard electrical plug types: Plug Type A and Plug Type B. Both have two parallel pins for power, while the latter has an additional grounding pin for safety. But if you look closely ...

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 ...

It can be really frustrating when you're hooking up an appliance or gadget with a three-prong plug only to realize the extension cord or outlet you're plugging it into only has two prongs. After all, ...

While standard receptacles typically use three wires -- hot, neutral and ground -- you'll occasionally find 2-prong outlets in older homes. Since this type of outlet lacks a ground connection, the ...

Let’s be real: no one wants to worry about plug types or voltage conversion on vacation. That’s why you need a great travel adapter — with the right model, you can plug in your chargers and ...

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us? One of the most exciting times before a big vacation, especially one that you've been ...

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, ...