Do grounding adapters where you use the plate cover screw into a metal tab work?Safe?Allows 2 prong to take 3.

Question

thanks for info everyone.
my panel box is in fact grounded--if that helps shed some light on the issue.

to upgrade to gfi, can you do that with a two wire system or do i have to run line from panel box to the outlet with grounded cable.

Answer 1

There is some creditability in the previous answers. You can purchace an inexpensive tester from radio shack or home depot that plugs into a three prong outlet with 3 indicator lights. If you attach the adaptor and plug in the tester and the correct lights light, it is safe. The lights will indicate a problem and type. If a ground is not present, a GFI will not work.
Greg

Answer 2

Dark Is right if it is a 2 prong outlet there is NO ground all the adapter does is make it where you won't cut the ground prong off your cords or makes it so you can plug it in........People who Don't know shouldn't answer Electrical questions.

Answer 3

many new boxes(in the last 20 years..) hehe are PLASTIC...so NO the adaptor wouldnt be grounded...and even a Metal box could have ROMEX cable run to it and may not have used a ground wire.,...and may not have ground the box...so again the adaptor wouldnt be grounded...(since its a 2 wire outlet you have they didnt use a grounding wire)

Answer 4

probably not if it is a 2 prong outlet chances are it is not grounded

Answer 5

Ray D is right. If it is a two prong receptacle chances are there is NO ground.

Answer 6

They are against code, The box may not be metal. You can, however, replace the two pronged receptacle with a GFCI.

Answer 7

They only work if the outlet box is grounded.

If you don't know if the box is grounded, and don't know how to check, then CALL AN ELECTRICIAN.

Answer 8

Yes, they do, because the screw goes into the metal body of the socket assembly, and that is (or should be) connected to the main cable's ground wire inside the box.