NEMA 1-15 (15 A/125 V unearthed) (Type A)

Unpolarized NEMA 1-15 plug

This plug and socket, with two flat parallel non-coplanar blades and slots, is used in most of North America and on the east coast of South America on lamps and double insulated small appliances that don’t require an earth. It is standardized in the US by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Unearthed NEMA 1-15 sockets have been prohibited in new construction in the United States and Canada since 1962, but remain in many older homes and are still sold for replacement. NEMA 1-15 plugs are still common because they are compatible with NEMA 5-15 (earthing) sockets.

Initially, both blades were the same width, so the plug could be inserted into the socket either way around. Plugs manufactured since the 1950s are polarized; the neutral blade is wider than the line blade, so the plug can be inserted only one way. Polarized NEMA 1-15 plugs will not fit into unpolarized sockets, which possess only narrow slots. NEMA 1-15 plugs will fit NEMA 5-15 earthed sockets, which have a wider slot for the neutral blade. Some devices that do not distinguish between neutral and line, such as internally isolated electronic power supplies, are still produced with unpolarized narrow blades.

Cheater plug adapters allow an earthing 5-15 plug to be fitted to a non-earthed 1-15 socket.

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