The fat prong 2-plugs are a challenge, too, as one wire is neutral, which is grounded in the main box but carries current. Normal US house is powered by a 240 V center tapped transformer with the center tap grounded. Finding a way to plug them in backward may make too many internal parts hot!
Outlets are cheap, like $.50, but finding a ground can be difficult/expensive if the box is not bx (flexible metal armored wire is grounded.)
jkoskov, installing the receptacle with the third prong at the top rather than the bottom is neither an “era” nor an “error” – it’s just not how it’s commonly done.
Hooking up the hot wire to the cold post would be an “error.”
Iv’e broken off and pulled out many of the “third” prongs. And to fix the “fat” prong, grind it down until it’s the same size as the other one.
Like FishStix I have had no problems either. And no safety poilce have come a knockin’.
Why is the “polarized plug” even neccessary? The current changes polarity 60 times a second!!
Now if you had D.C.(direct current) THEN you would need a polarized plug.
The 240 volt is whole different thing, it is designed that way so you can’t plug a 110/120 volt appliance or device into it. If you did (or could)…
SMOKE test!
^I was a high priest of the ‘trons (they don’t want to pay me enough to do it right, so I sell booze). You’re pulling lighting from the wall, just be careful. Tripped circuit breakers & blown fuses are usually not a problem with the breaker or fuse. That’s their job, to prevent smoke when you test. You sound like you know this, just clarifying for the laymen. Armored cable is your friend, even if replacing drywall is messy. Conduit is for wimps.
EarlWash over 13 years ago
This ‘73 MF home I’m in came with the 3rd prong at the top of the outlet instead of the bottom. Another era when they had ‘all the answers’.
Yukoneric over 13 years ago
Earl, take out the outlet and rotate and reinstall………..
DavidGBA over 13 years ago
Yes, the long pin third wire is ground/earth.
The fat prong 2-plugs are a challenge, too, as one wire is neutral, which is grounded in the main box but carries current. Normal US house is powered by a 240 V center tapped transformer with the center tap grounded. Finding a way to plug them in backward may make too many internal parts hot!
Outlets are cheap, like $.50, but finding a ground can be difficult/expensive if the box is not bx (flexible metal armored wire is grounded.)
jkoskov over 13 years ago
Earl, I would comment that one person’s incorrect installation does not make an “era”… it makes an “error”!
And by the way, real pluggers are still on gas lighting and steam heat!
tedcoop over 13 years ago
jkoskov, installing the receptacle with the third prong at the top rather than the bottom is neither an “era” nor an “error” – it’s just not how it’s commonly done.
Hooking up the hot wire to the cold post would be an “error.”
comicnut4636 over 13 years ago
Iv’e broken off and pulled out many of the “third” prongs. And to fix the “fat” prong, grind it down until it’s the same size as the other one.
Like FishStix I have had no problems either. And no safety poilce have come a knockin’.
Why is the “polarized plug” even neccessary? The current changes polarity 60 times a second!!
Now if you had D.C.(direct current) THEN you would need a polarized plug.
The 240 volt is whole different thing, it is designed that way so you can’t plug a 110/120 volt appliance or device into it. If you did (or could)… SMOKE test!
ChukLitl Premium Member over 13 years ago
^I was a high priest of the ‘trons (they don’t want to pay me enough to do it right, so I sell booze). You’re pulling lighting from the wall, just be careful. Tripped circuit breakers & blown fuses are usually not a problem with the breaker or fuse. That’s their job, to prevent smoke when you test. You sound like you know this, just clarifying for the laymen. Armored cable is your friend, even if replacing drywall is messy. Conduit is for wimps.
COWBOY7 over 13 years ago
Got to be an old house for sure!
momazilla over 13 years ago
and don’t forget the GFCI.