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Of Power Outlets

IcemopperIcemopper Registered User regular
edited December 2008 in Help / Advice Forum
I'm moving into an apartment that was built in the 50's, and I have a power question, because I do not know much about electricity.

In the office, there are no 3-pronged outlets (American, by the way), and I can get some converters to make them go up from 2, but I'm worried that would cause an overload or something pretty quickly, as I'll have my computer with 2 monitors in there, among other small devices.

Any help?

Thanks

Icemopper on

Posts

  • Hobbit0815Hobbit0815 Registered User regular
    edited December 2008
    I'm no electrician, but as long as you use surge protectors, I don't think it'd be any big deal?

    Our place was built in the 70s, and it's cool with all kinds of computers and electronics.

    Hobbit0815 on
  • IcemopperIcemopper Registered User regular
    edited December 2008
    Yeah, I've got loads of surge protectors.

    Awesome, thanks for the help!

    Icemopper on
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu PIGEON Registered User regular
    edited December 2008
    The third pin is just ground; you're not missing out on any power or anything.

    TychoCelchuuu on
  • IcemopperIcemopper Registered User regular
    edited December 2008
    TychoCelchuuu wrote: »
    The third pin is just ground; you're not missing out on any power or anything.

    Oh see this is something I did not know.. as I said, I know very little about electricity and all that jazz. I just use it a lot.

    Icemopper on
  • MidshipmanMidshipman Registered User regular
    edited December 2008
    The 3rd prong in the plug is for the ground. Depending on how the outlets were installed, the screw that holds the outlet plate on might be grounded. If it is, then the 2/3 prong outlet adapter should work just fine if you make sure to screw the adapter onto the outlet plate.

    pRS1C-2266744w345.jpg

    There are tools that you can buy that will tell you if the ground is properly wired.

    For example...
    http://electrical.hardwarestore.com/15-62-circuit-voltage-testers/ground-fault-receptacle-tester-601501.aspx

    From my understanding, lack of a ground is more of a safety concern for users than the equipment. So you can probably use electronic equipment like computers and TVs on an ungrounded circuit without risking the equipment, but you wouldn't want to use things like hairdryers or power tools on an ungrounded circuit unless they were designed to not need a ground (ie, two prong plug type). The ground prevents an electric short with the equipment casing from causing current to flow through you to the ground, and instead channels any case short current back into the outlet ground.

    Midshipman on
    midshipman.jpg
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