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(although do the US/Canada use earth?)

We have a few standards. For 110v circuits (common household outlets) all modern outlets support earth (we call it ground in the US, not sure about Canada), however, they will accept a 2 prong plug without it or a 3 prong with it. Typically low watt devices like lamps are 2 wire and high watt devices like heaters and vacuums have 3 prong, but it is not consistent.

220v circuits which we only use for a few large appliances like clothes dryers and commercial applications require a three conductor plug, and there are several different shapes and sizes, so you need to order the cord to match the socket.

Our 2 prong 110 plugs are largely compatible with Japanese 100v outlets, although some of ours have polarity (the L spade is wider than the N spade, so they only plug in one way) and need an adapter for use in Japan, but it is just straight through with narrower spades.

Alan

We call it ground too

@thetechguru

The Neutral is the wide spade, Line is the narrow spade on a plug.

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The Neutral is the wide spade, Line is the narrow spade on a plug.

Good thing I do phones and computer networks for a living, and not electricity.

Alan

These are the kind of plugs I use where I work here in Wisconsin, USA. LOL: