2006-10-13 13:46:29 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
A two prong plug is never grounded because it lacks the ground wire (the third prong).
2006-10-13 13:53:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The third prong is the ground so there is not a ground on a two prong plug. Actually you are probably talking about the outlet that the two prong plug oes into but it is same situation, two=NO.
There is a test plug you can buy with colored lights in it (about $10-20 I think). It will light up indicating OK if the live wire is connected to the right prong and if the neutral wire is connected to the right prong. If you had a three prong plug it would also light to show you that there is the good connection between that third prong and the actual earth (ground) that you want.
2006-10-13 20:52:16 · answer #2 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
being way technical, a two-prong plug is "sorta" grounded, in that one prong of the outlet, and the ground of the transformer, are connected in US electrical companies. Down side: you CAN turn the plug over, or the wires can be reversed at the outlet, or at the power panel, and oops! no ground.
And you instantly gain the possibility that you can knock yerself on yer butt, with the wrong combination of circumstances.
Three-prong plugs are "grounded" by connecting the ground screw to the metal outlet box, which is supposed to be grounded at the power panel and carried thru by the conduit. Bad news: not all homes or businesses have conduit all the way through the house, particularly if you have an addition or serious repairs in the building's history.
One other answer recommended a tester; that's the best way to ensure yer not gonna have a hospital-grade oops.
So, two things - if its not a three-wire plug, its not really safe to assume its grounded. Second: even if it IS a three-wire plug, test if before you count on it.
Good luck...
2006-10-13 22:09:05 · answer #3 · answered by Hagar 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some older two prong plugs and 3 prong to 2 prong converters contain a small copper ring below the plug. This ring is a ground ring and is intended to be secured to the socket by unscrewing the cover plate screw, inserting the screw through the ring and replace the coverplate and screw essentially grounding the plug to the receptical box.
2006-10-13 20:56:12 · answer #4 · answered by raven_21633 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two pronged plugs are NOT grounded. Only 3 prongs are. The newer items have insulated/plastic cases, so you luck out there if it only has 2 prongs.
2006-10-13 20:54:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two pronged plugs are polarized if one of the two prongs is wider than the other. Either way, it is not truly grounded.
2006-10-13 20:50:47 · answer #6 · answered by talons_pryde2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In a two prong plug, one's hot, one's not, no ground.
2006-10-13 21:27:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont believe two prong plugs can be grounded, the two prongs complete the electrical circuit, one side receiving the other side transmitting, a third prong is the ground.
2006-10-13 20:52:40 · answer #8 · answered by darlin12009 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only way to ground a 2 prong plug is to send it to its room with no supper.
2006-10-15 13:40:44 · answer #9 · answered by mrdream3333 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if it,s only 2 prongs then it,s not grounded
2006-10-14 01:15:24 · answer #10 · answered by big jack 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋