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This is a recurring problem I have: Instead of a traditional, straight plug, I have devices with a three-prong plug that lays flush against a wall and angled at 45 degrees. I find these types of plugs quite annoying because they only work if the electrical socket is in exactly the right orientation.

So, I need a way "straighten" out the plug. What would be perfect is something that rotates 360 degrees, similar to these extension cords, but without the cord: https://www.amazon.com/Nekteck-Listed-Extension-Degree-Rotating/dp/B071KSM5DQ

Any ideas?

user54379
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4 Answers4

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Simplest and most reliable option (no sliding contacts required) is a 1 foot extension cord (or a longer one, but 1 foot will get the desired degree of freedom.)

Ecnerwal
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Flip the electrical socket over

Turn main breaker off, make sure both sockets are dead, 1 coverplate screw, 2 yoke screws, rotate 180, put it back in. Don't even need to take the wires off (actually: don't).

Now your appliance cord is working as intended: giving a flush-to-wall socket that you can back furniture up against, yet allowing both sockets to be used.

Or use an appliance-grade extension cord that is UL-listed.

The other way to deal with it is use a large-appliance-grade extension cord (just a foot or two long will suffice) that is UL-listed, and is 12-14 AWG, and has a "plug end" that you want.

DO NOT use crud from Amazon

Every product recommended here has been an "Amazon Marketplace" item sold definitely not by Amazon, but by some third party vendor. This part of the Amazon listings are "basically eBay" in terms of quality and reliability. Most of that stuff will "burn your house down" and indeed, reviews are littered with reports of the units burning up etc.

Harper - Reinstate Monica
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I know exactly what you mean, those plugs are just a nuisance most of the time. @Ecnerwal's answer using a short extension cord is going to be the simplest and cheapest way to work around this.

Another option - I will often re-terminate cords to get them the exact length I want, you could do the same to get a regular straight plug. A decent quality UL listed NEMA 5-15P plug is still pretty inexpensive. They're a little bulkier than I'd like but they're easy to use and very strong if you assemble it right.

nema 5-15p plug

batsplatsterson
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I don’t understand why Ecnerwal’s Answer doesn’t provide a solution to your problem. But here is a portable adapter with the rotating socket.

Pic

Programmer66
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