Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!cmcl2!dasys1!aj-mberg
From: aj-mberg@dasys1.UUCP (Micha Berger)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: How can I recognize true ground?
Message-ID: <10269@dasys1.UUCP>
Date: 17 Jul 89 20:19:44 GMT
References: <18425@mimsy.UUCP> <1989Jul7.155721.19105@utzoo.uucp>
Reply-To: aj-mberg@dasys1.UUCP (Micha Berger)
Organization: Aspaklaria Publications / AishDas Society
Lines: 28

spector@brillig.umd.edu.UUCP (?) writes:
>Question from a novice: My house has "two prong" outlets.  I've been told
>that the center screw and casing of the outlet boxes is generally grounded,
>so that I will have a correctly grounded outlet if I attach the wire of a
>"3 to 2 adapter" to the center screw.  How do I (a vertual electronics
>know-nothing) check to see if this is working in my case?

Henry Spencer (henry@utzoo.uucp)  writes:
>If you are really, seriously concerned about whether it really is grounded,
>you can't assume that the screw is grounded, and in fact you can't assume
>that the third prong in a three-prong outlet is grounded -- electricians
>do get sloppy now and then.

>I'm unable to think of a quick no-equipment test to make sure; perhaps one
>of the higher gurus can.



If your house isn't of this decade, your plumbing is grounded. This is because
they bury your pipes uninsulated. So, if you're really nervous....
(New houses can have plastic pipes.)
Barring lightning, I wouldn't panic about grounding. Especially if your
outlet strip has a fuse / circuit breaker.
-- 
					Micha Berger

"Always should [the child of] Adam have awe of G-d in secret and in public,
admit the truth, and speak truth in his heart."