How To Install 2 To 3 Prong Adapter

Grounding from plug to Box

Looking at the second picture in the question, makes the grounding path to the box evident.

While the yoke of the device may not exist a nifty (or approved) grounding path (unless it's a cocky grounding device), it may well serve every bit a grounding path in an emergency. Which when it comes downwardly to it, is the purpose of the equipment grounding usher.

Grounding from box to earth

In some situations conductors leading to the box may be either in metallic conduit, or cablevision assemblies sheathed in a metallic roofing. In some cases, these metallic pathways can provide and adequate grounding path. In these situations, the grounding ring on the adapter can indeed provide and adequate grounding path.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of situations where nonmetallic cable is used to supply nongrounding type receptacles. In these cases, the grounding ring volition not provide a path to ground.

Potential Hazards

Without an acceptable path to ground from the box, this setup could actually be more unsafe.

Short to footing inside the box

If for some reason the ungrounded (hot) conductor comes into contact with the metallic box, the box can become energized. If this adapter is connected, the grounding conductor of the plugged in device tin also be energized. In this case, if the grounding conductor is attached to a metal outer covering of the plugged in device. The outer covering can exist energized, and becomes a potential stupor/electrocution take chances.

Inadequate grounding path

If the box is supplied using older armored cable, the cable capsule may actually be a high resistance path to ground. This could lead to heating of the cable sheath, in some cases to the point of ignition of surrounding edifice materials. Mod armored cables provide a low resistance path to ground, and are oftentimes approved to be used as a grounding means. So if newer cable is used, this may not exist a problem.

Broken grounding path

The box containing the receptacle may exist supplied using modern cabling, and a grounding path may be present. Notwithstanding, the modern cabling may be connected to older cabling that does not provide a grounding path. In this case, error electric current will follow the grounding path back to the junction between old and new cabling, and lead to potential hazards at that location.

tl;dr

In some cases these devices work as intended, and provide an adequate path to footing. In other cases they exercise non, and can potentially introduce other hazards. Though nosotros must keep in mind, the equipment grounding conductor is a safety device. Under normal operating conditions, this path will never have current flowing through it. Considering of this, the dangers from a device similar this are limited.

Source: https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/36697/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-grounding-tab-wire-on-a-3-prong-to-2-prong-adapter

Posted by: jamesyousterromme.blogspot.com

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