Phone charger from China has two identical pins

[FrodoOne]

Why would they want a polarized two pin plug?

Because the North American two-pin plug (Type A) was originally not "polarized".
So, the NEMA 1-15 Outlet was modified so that the Neutral Pin was Wider than the Line Pin.

UK socket-Outlets (Type G) are not intrinsically "polarized".
Heever, they are polarized by default, since no two-pin plug can be inserted.
It is necessary that a three-pin plug must be inserted, so that the Earth Pin may operate the shutters.

Australian 3-pin socket-outlets (Type I) are intrinsically "polarized".
In most Australian socket-outlets the Earth Pin is not required to open any shutters.
Hence, Polarized 2-pin plugs are available and used for "Double Insulated" devices in Australia.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Because the North American two-pin plug (Type A) was originally not "polarized".
So, the NEMA 1-15 Outlet was modified so that the Neutral Pin was Wider than the Line Pin.

Hardly an answer to my question - why?

UK socket-Outlets (Type G) are not intrinsically "polarized".
Heever, they are polarized by default, since no two-pin plug can be inserted.
It is necessary that a three-pin plug must be inserted, so that the Earth Pin may operate the shutters.

You say they are not but they are. Right

Australian 3-pin socket-outlets (Type I) are intrinsically "polarized".
In most Australian socket-outlets the Earth Pin is not required to open any shutters.
Hence, Polarized 2-pin plugs are available and used for "Double Insulated" devices in Australia.

WHAT?

 

[ericmark]

Heever, they are polarized by default, since no two-pin plug can be inserted.
It is necessary that a three-pin plug must be inserted, so that the Earth Pin may operate the shutters.

It depends on the make of socket, some it needs both live pins to be inserted together, think from memory MK, so with a class II plug where the plastic earth pin has been broken off the plug could still be used. Upside down if you wanted to.

We all know what we should do, but I still have this in my own bedroom which uses a adaptor like this which should not be used I know, but where used I really have no problem with it. It is really handy if you excuse the pun.

 

[flameport]

Heever, they are polarized by default, since no two-pin plug can be inserted.