Most extension cords you buy these days are polarized an so are many other things.

Some are cheaply made and the plug seems to be lower in quality than the socket.

So, out I was looking for a round-cord polarized plug for a 16 AWG extension cord probably about a year old.

Went to the hardware store (True Value) that sold me the cord - Nothing

Went to (United Electric Supply) Nothing on the shelf and I didn't ask about special ordering.

Went to a big box store (Home Depot) and found one for the low gage zip cords, but not a round cord.

Why?

Why don't the three prong plugs have a wide, narrow and round? It used to be that when people cut the ground off, polarity would still be preserved.

Why don't plugs have decent grips on them except the commercial ones like Hubbell which I am used too?

Why don't most plugs have decent cord strain reliefs on them?

Eventual fire hazzard?

Is this the way insurance companies make money?

rsain2004

My friend...Gone are the days of "Hospital Grade" plugs and receptacles on extension cords. They are still available at McMaster-Carr and such...We have entered the era of "manufacturing budgets in developing economies, taking precedent over safety". Poison pet food, lead paint on toys, salmonella on tomatoes...on and on...A recommendation, find 600V. insulation and hospital grade connectors. They are costly, yet durable...Good Luck.

EPMiller

Bummer man! You need a real hardware store. There is an independent one near where I work. They stock a wide range of things from real supply houses. Actual parts that come in bulk boxes with no extra packaging. And to your problem of good quality polarized 2 prong plugs, they have several that are decent quality, I'd say shop grade. But I haven't seen anything on their shelf in the serious Hubbel/Leviton/P&S level with only 2 prongs.

KeepItSimpleStupid

I've seen some really bad P&S quality to the point I won't buy them anymore. Receptacle ground connections were friction contacts that could break if you put 2 plugs in the receptacle. 470 outlets in one building were potentially affected.

EPMiller

Wow, I will have to check that out. I have been using Leviton as of late, but I have a good number of P&S in place from times past.