Seriously, devices that run on DC via AC/DC conversion DO NOT have polarized plugs. There is no point to have it since it's just rectifying and stepping down the AC power. This includes 99.99% of what a tourist or business traveler uses, i.e. mobile phones, notebook computers, etc.

Even the Mac Airbook (or whatever it's called) has (had?) a grounded plug but it's not polarized. Then the problem is that if you buy a cheapo Home Depot converter plug then its prongs are polarized! Then you are better off with one of those multi-converter bricks. Or actually a Euro-US type converter plug usually accepts US input and the ground part will slide above if it's slim enough.

Furthermore, if an outlet is not polarized in a JP socket then I wouldn't want to spend the night in such a place. The earthquake and fire risk is probably significant.

ok guys what about say computer plugs that have a plug that look like this? http://i01.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/6...CORD-CABLE.jpg what do i do? take that, plug it into the orange 3-to2-grounded orangey adapter then to the double round wall plug?

**confused**

I suggest that you inspect the plugs on your mobile phone, notebook adapters. Or pretty much any adapter.

Obviously an extension cord has to be able handle an electric device that requires polarization. There is a reason for the polarized plugs and also a reason that 99% of houses in Japan probably have them.

I believe that you will also find such outlets in a really old unrenovated house in the US.

Yes, but in the very unlikely event of finding an unpolarized socket in JP you are out of luck because the Home Depot 59 cent adapter has polarized output prongs. If you want to be 100% safe get a multiadpater brick. It accepts any plug input and then you select the output side: UK/Euro/US&OZ. (Oz works by rotating the US prongs.)

Come to think of it, I think the socket built into a desk of a business hotel in JP may have been unpolarized.

I had the same problem, went down to BIC Camera and got one of these:
http://www.biccamera.com/bicbic/jsp/...=4953103212329

Pickles' technical information is consistent with my knowledge, but I am just a lowly BS in CS.

Folks,

Please address the topic without taking jabs at one another. Several posts up thread have been gently edited to remove ad hominem remarks.

Thanks for your understanding and co-operation.

Prospero
Senior Moderator

We're done here. Primary rule of FlyerTalk is to be respectful in one's post. This thread is not an example of that.

l'etoile
sr. moderator