how do you test whether there is an earth connection provided in a socket or not?

Question

can anbody tell me in a three pin socket how to check for earth connection

Answer 1

With a digital multimeter, check an AC voltage from the ground terminal to the HOT terminal(the smaller of the two slots). If you have a ground connection, you will have the full AC voltage(120V~220V, etc.) displayed on your meter. If your voltage doesn't make sense, or is low, then you don't have a ground connection.

Answer 2

Stick you fingers between the live and the earth lol! Nah, you can purchase little plugs with three little lights built in, and it will test all three connections for you. You can also do this manually with a test meter by connecting it to the live and earth on the 240v range, or do a continuity test from the earth terminal to another earthed appliance in your home. there are devices called IRT (Insulation Resistance Testers) that will test you eclectics for faulty wiring by the use of a high voltage. Homes should be all equapotential, meaning all the appliances are in equal electrical potential so if you touch the washing machine and the sink at the same time, you don't receive a shock, that, should the washer develop a fault. The earth should secure that. Only as good as the earth is, its only as good as the socket you plug into, So have your PowerPoint's checked least every year. takes ten minuets.

Answer 3

Radio Shack (and others) sell little testers, that look like 3-prong plugs, but have 3 LEDs. They tell you right away if there is a connection to earth. They also tell you if the hot and neutral are wired correctly, and if there is a major fault.

I wouldn't recommend using an Ohmmeter to measure for continuity between the neutral and the ground pins of the socket. In principle that is OK, but if the outlet is wired wrong you could blow up your ohmmeter -- literally. Cut the breaker if you use an Ohmmeter. The voltmeter method (answer #1) will work OK with the power -- on.

.

Answer 4

You should measure the electric resistance between the socket and a true earth.It should be near cero.