Why You Should Replace Two-Prong Outlets In Your Home
While 3-prong grounded outlets have been required in the National Electrical Code for over 60 years, it’s not uncommon for older homes in Montana to still have two-prong outlets. Here are the differences and why you should consider upgrading your old, outdated outlets.
What’s The Difference Between Two-Prong and Three-Prong Receptacles?
The main difference is that a three-prong outlet has a ground wire. Grounding provides excess electricity a safe path away from an appliance back to the ground at the electrical service panel. Electrical grounding is important in situations where there is a fault in the wiring system, such as a short circuit. The ground wire allows electricity to safely exit to the ground without causing harm to anyone who could be in contact with the electrical appliance.
Are Your Outlets Actually Grounded?
We have seen cases where two-prong outlets were replaced with three-prong outlets, but without the necessary ground wire being installed. I could be a case where a homeowner needed a quick upgrade to allow a three-prong plug to be inserted into the receptacle. However, this will not meet code and causes safety concerns.
According to the National Electrical Code when a grounded type outlet is installed a new ground wire must also be installed by a licensed electrician. The exception to this rule is when the outlet is protected with a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI).
If you’re concerned about the condition of your outlets, our electricians can check the grounding using a using a plug-in circuit tester.
Surge Protectors and Un-grounded Outlets
One of the dangerous situations where un-grounded outlets can be unsafe is when a power-strip surge protector protector is plugged in. When a power surge is detected by the surge protector, it relies on the ground to safely control the surge before it trips. Without a ground wire to work with, a surge protector will likely damage any electronic devices that are plugged into the device.
If your home has two-prong outlets or older wiring, play it safe and have the experienced electricians at Central Heating Cooling Plumbing & Electrical upgrade your two-prong outlets to protect your family and home.
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