# Plugging in plugs **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 7, 2016, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093 "2016-12-07T06:07:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093/1 "2016-12-07T06:07:21Z")
I don’t know what to make of this, but for quite a while now I’ve noticed that almost invariably, when I go to plug something in- appliance, usb, phone charge cord, I get it backwards and have to turn it around. I would have thought that it would be closer to half the time, but it isn’t. It’s almost uncanny how often I get it wrong. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093/2 "2016-12-07T06:40:12Z")
I can usually eyeball it pretty accurately unless it’s in a blind location where I have to plug it in by feel. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093/3 "2016-12-07T07:14:55Z")
No, USB-A is always 1) right way, but you somehow miss, and decide it’s wrong, then 2) wrong way, then 3) finally right way. This happens 90% of the time. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093/4 "2016-12-07T07:22:56Z")
For many-multi-pin plugs such as DVI or D-Sub(‘VGA’), there’s an excuse for making the cable only plug in one way. USB could very easily have been designed to be orientation-agnostic. There are proposed reversible designs out there, but it’s too late now. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093/5 "2016-12-07T07:45:48Z")
I thought **Son of a Rich** was talking about US polarized outlets where there’s only one way to plug it in (since he said appliances), but I admit I could be wrong. USB plugs are indeed a pain in the ass. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093/6 "2016-12-07T10:16:10Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > For many-multi-pin plugs such as DVI or D-Sub(‘VGA’), there’s an excuse for making the cable only plug in one way. USB could very easily have been designed to be orientation-agnostic. > > There are proposed reversible designs out there, but it’s too late now. You mean like [USB type C?](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_Type-C) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093/7 "2016-12-07T11:48:19Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > You mean like [USB type C?](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_Type-C) Exactly like that, or [Double USB](https://www.wired.com/2011/01/double-usb-plug-concept-slots-in-both-ways/), or possibly some other competing concept. It’s probably too late though. The right time for ideas like this is at the beginning. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093/8 "2016-12-07T13:01:43Z")
Unless you carry around a notebook and record the results of each attempt to plug something in, I’m guessing confirmation bias is playing a role. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093/9 "2016-12-07T14:07:54Z")
I thought USB plugs at the little [diagram](http://graph.darren-criss.org/2016/03/28/usb-to-ps2-wiring-diagram-l-194511ff2638ec3e.jpg) on top. ---
**Author:** ![WildBlueYonder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ce7236/32.png) [@WildBlueYonder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildBlueYonder)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093/10 "2016-12-07T14:12:37Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I thought **Son of a Rich** was talking about US polarized outlets where there’s only one way to plug it in (since he said appliances), but I admit I could be wrong. USB plugs are indeed a pain in the ass. No? I thought the same…for people who do have problems like I do with ALL cords, I paint a spot on the top side so I know which way is up! Drive me nuts otherwise I still have to do some of the cords around here! :smack:🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093/11 "2016-12-07T14:29:41Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I thought **Son of a Rich** was talking about US polarized outlets where there’s only one way to plug it in (since he said appliances), but I admit I could be wrong. USB plugs are indeed a pain in the ass. Doesn’t matter what king of plug, I get it wrong on the first try\*. And it’s not confirmation bias; instances of right-first-time are few and far between. It’s like a gift. \*except for guitar cords. No problem with those 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093/12 "2016-12-07T14:31:04Z")
I thiink I have finally got the knack of correctly inserting USB plugs. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093/13 "2016-12-07T14:42:28Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Doesn’t matter what king of plug, I get it wrong on the first try\*. I think this is a corollary of Murphy’s Law. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093/14 "2016-12-07T16:11:30Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I thought USB plugs at the little [diagram](http://graph.darren-criss.org/2016/03/28/usb-to-ps2-wiring-diagram-l-194511ff2638ec3e.jpg) on top. …and I see a flash drive without the diagram on it. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093/15 "2016-12-07T17:32:14Z")
Every USB male or female plug I have ever seen have a plastic bar and will only plug in one way. Look at the little square holes and you can tell which way you are holding it. Look at the female plug. ‘Bob’s your Uncle.’ If a person just grabs a plug and starts trying to jam it in without out a quick glance, they maybe need the 98% failure rate to satisfy some internal mental illness… Or maybe I just have it as a gift to make up for my lack of spelling ability. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093/16 "2016-12-07T17:53:38Z")
That’s true of USB-A. -B and the mini and micro variations are not symmetrically shaped, while -C can be put in either way, unless there is a power rail connected. But the issue is really trying to plug it into the back of your computer, blind, because it’s under a desk or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093/17 "2016-12-07T18:11:42Z")
> [@GusNSpot](#): > > If a person just grabs a plug and starts trying to jam it in without out a quick glance, they maybe need the 98% failure rate to satisfy some internal mental illness… I don’t try to “jam it in”, I just go to plug it in and it’s wrong side up every time. And my mental illness is of the external variety :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093/18 "2016-12-07T19:11:30Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > That’s true of USB-A. -B and the mini and micro variations are not symmetrically shaped, while -C can be put in either way, **unless there is a power rail connected.** Not sure what you mean by the highlighted bit. [USB-C is perfectly symmetrical with respect to power and ground](http://pinoutguide.com/Slots/usb-type-c_pinout.shtml) as well as data. Outermost pins, top and bottom, are ground. 4th pin in from either edge, top and bottom, are voltage. So plug it in either way; power and ground are in the same places regardless of orientation. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093/19 "2016-12-07T20:55:49Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > Not sure what you mean by the highlighted bit. [USB-C is perfectly symmetrical with respect to power and ground](http://pinoutguide.com/Slots/usb-type-c_pinout.shtml) as well as data. Outermost pins, top and bottom, are ground. 4th pin in from either edge, top and bottom, are voltage. So plug it in either way; power and ground are in the same places regardless of orientation. Sorry, I accidentally confused it with [USB 3.x](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81w%2By3RwqiL._SX355_.jpg) (Micro-B in this case). ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093/20 "2016-12-07T21:35:09Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Unless you carry around a notebook and record the results of each attempt to plug something in, I’m guessing confirmation bias is playing a role. Except that he plugged the USB charger in wrong and now the notebook is dead. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plugging-in-plugs/774093.md?page=2)