Is Polarized Plug enough to prevent Appliance Electronics Fire Hazard?

[DanZ]

If conditions in the imperfect world arise frequently enough that these inadvertent actions pose a public safety concern then standards and manufacturing practices need to change.

So perhaps the question needs refining - how high do you feel the conditions are for inadvertent polarity reversal of ungrounded polarized plugs by consumers? Should consumer electronics and appliance manufacturers design products to remain safe when this happens?

If the conditions happened enough, the manufacturer would have included a remedy in their design. As it stands, non polarized receptacles are fairly rare when compared to the amount of polarized receptacles. My house was built in the 70's and has polarized receptacles. If they had a major problem with a device, they would have a recall on it, or it would (should) have failed in the warranty period.

So, to answer your other question, I think the odds of polarity reversal are fairly slim these days. Even your vacuum outlasted the warranty! :wink: Unless, of course, someone has a defective extension cord, or tampers with something they shouldn't.