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From: k3tx@wells.UUCP (Dave Heller)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house,sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Improper ground in house wiring?
Keywords: ground wire
Message-ID: <873@wells.UUCP>
Date: 10 Jan 91 19:09:39 GMT
References: <3667@ntmtv.UUCP>
Organization: Wells Computer Systems Corp., Levittown, Pa. 19058
Lines: 47

In article <3667@ntmtv.UUCP>, adrian@ntmtv.UUCP (Adrian Brandt) writes:
> I just got one of those surge protection/EMI/RFI plugs to
> plug a bunch of home entertainment system stuff into.
> Now, either the red and green LEDs are reversed (not likely),
> or the wiring in the apartment doesn't have the ground hooked
> up properly (likely).  Does this mean I'm not going to get
> surge protection?  RFI/EMI filtering?  What's a good test
> to see what's going on with my power?  How do I test whether
> ground is hooked up properly?  I've got a fairly good digital
> multimeter...
> Adrian Brandt (415) 940-2379

You may have a messed up grounding system
in the building - - 
or the device (surge suppressor with
six 120 v receptacles) may
have its indicator LED's reversed.

Easiest thing to do is:

Open the 120 v outlet box and see if the
black wire goes to the copper-colored
terminal on the receptacle and
the white wire to the silvery terminal.

There is also a terminal on the side of the
device, probably painted green.  This should
be connected to a bare or green grounding
wire, and hopefully to the box itself,
assuming it
it's steel.

If the connections aren't as advertised the building is
not properly wired, and it's best for you to stay out
of it (since you had to ask, obviously you're not experienced
playing with wiring and therefore shouldn't consider trying.
   
If the box itself is plastic, as is found in much new
construction these days it's a  fairly sure bet that the
wiring throughout uses junk and may be of poor quality.
My opinion of plastic boxes is too rough even for rec.humor.sex.

Good luck.

K3TX

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