answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

=== === Tie the bare ground onto the ground screw in the back of the box then tie green wire from outlet to bare ground with a "wire nut", also known as a "marrette", or with an equivalent kind of secure electrical connector.

=== === <><><> If you must go with a 3 prong outlet, ground the box. I would recommend a 4 prong outlet as it meets modern code and is safer.

<><><>

As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

Use an electricians Screwdriver, that has a light diode inside. So when you insert the business end of the screwdriver in the lower 2 holes, you will see it light up. This means the mains are ON.

After that insert the Screwdriver in the Ground socket. If the screwdriver lights up you know it is not grounded.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How can you tell if a 3 prong outlet is grounded?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

How do you connect a grounded lamp to a ungrounded outlet?

Change the outlet to a grounded one. Get an adapter that goes from 3 prong to 2. Break the ground prong off. Any one of these will work.


Can you change a 2prong to a 3 prong on a window air conditioner?

You can get a ground adaptor, but it is much safer to have an electrician install a properly grounded outlet. This may require having to install a new line directly to your electrical panel.


Can you plug a 3 prong extension into a 110 volt outlet?

Yes, provided the outlet has a three element receptacle. The third prong is ground. If you use an adapter that connects three prongs to a two slot outlet there is a shock danger.


Can you replace a 2 prong outlet with a 3 prong outlet if there is no ground line or is the ground required?

YES - it will work fine, and hopefully you have grounding in the plug. If you do not, you should also get surge protection and a safety cap when not using. The 3 prong will not create a ground, so it will not change the fact that it is dangerous not to have ground (you know kids and outlets).


Is there an inexpensive and safe way to convert 2 prong outlets to 3 prong without rewiring your house?

You can convert your 2-wire ungrounding outlets to 3-wire grounding outlets by installing a GFCI receptacle in place of the 2-wire receptacle. The GFCI will be a 3-wire receptacle. In addition, if you replace the first receptacle in a series with a GFCI, you can protect all receptacles downstream of the first one by wiring them on the LOAD side of the GFCI. Once this is done, the 2-wire receptacles downstream may legally be replaced with 3-wire receptacles. They must be marked "No equipment ground", and there may not be an actual grounding conductor installed between the GFCI and the protected devices. You can easily convert a 2 prong to a 3 prong by just replacing the outlet. This will not give you the protection of a grounded outlet as there is no ground wire to connect. I know it is expensive but if you plan on staying in this home, have it rewired, for the safety of your family. The first thing u need to know is which wire is the neutral. If u know which is the neutral u can use that one for the ground also, consequently making a 2 prong into a 3 prong. I seen an electrician do this. Get a "neon tester." This is a neon bulb with two wires coming out of it. Take the screw that holds the cover plate onto the outlet off, and set it to the side. Then plug one wire from the tester into the right-side slot on one of the outlets, and one wire into the left-side slot. The tester should light up. (We did this to make sure the tester works. Sometimes they don't.) If it does, pull the wire out of the left-side slot and stick it into the screwhole. If it didn't light up, stick the wire back in the left-side slot then pull the wire out of the right-side slot and stick it in the screwhole. If it lit up on either occasion, you have a ground going to the box, and you can legally put a three-prong outlet in without rewiring. I tell you this because at one time, they used to wire houses this way--in places like the kitchen and bathroom you needed three-prong outlets, but in bedrooms you only need two-prong, so they'd use outlets and wiring that grounded the center screw. If you really NEEDED a grounded outlet, you bought one of those little 2-prong to 3-prong adapters and ran the screw through the tab to ground it. If you don't get a light on either position, don't put a grounded outlet there.

Related questions

How do you connect a grounded lamp to a ungrounded outlet?

Change the outlet to a grounded one. Get an adapter that goes from 3 prong to 2. Break the ground prong off. Any one of these will work.


How do you convert a 4 prong 240V outlet to a 3 prong 240V outlet?

Disregard the neutral


If your outlet is a 3 prong outlet can you hook up a 3 prong plug from your old stove to a new stove which has a 4 prong plug?

No you can not you will need to replace the plug with a 4 prong the same as the style of your oven and change your breaker to the correct Amp for your style of 4 prong plug


What do you do if you have no outlet for your dryer's 2-inch 3-prong plug?

call an electrician!!!


Can you change a 2prong to a 3 prong on a window air conditioner?

You can get a ground adaptor, but it is much safer to have an electrician install a properly grounded outlet. This may require having to install a new line directly to your electrical panel.


Can you plug a 3 prong extension into a 110 volt outlet?

Yes, provided the outlet has a three element receptacle. The third prong is ground. If you use an adapter that connects three prongs to a two slot outlet there is a shock danger.


Can you replace a 2 prong outlet with a 3 prong outlet if there is no ground line or is the ground required?

YES - it will work fine, and hopefully you have grounding in the plug. If you do not, you should also get surge protection and a safety cap when not using. The 3 prong will not create a ground, so it will not change the fact that it is dangerous not to have ground (you know kids and outlets).


Is there an inexpensive and safe way to convert 2 prong outlets to 3 prong without rewiring your house?

You can convert your 2-wire ungrounding outlets to 3-wire grounding outlets by installing a GFCI receptacle in place of the 2-wire receptacle. The GFCI will be a 3-wire receptacle. In addition, if you replace the first receptacle in a series with a GFCI, you can protect all receptacles downstream of the first one by wiring them on the LOAD side of the GFCI. Once this is done, the 2-wire receptacles downstream may legally be replaced with 3-wire receptacles. They must be marked "No equipment ground", and there may not be an actual grounding conductor installed between the GFCI and the protected devices. You can easily convert a 2 prong to a 3 prong by just replacing the outlet. This will not give you the protection of a grounded outlet as there is no ground wire to connect. I know it is expensive but if you plan on staying in this home, have it rewired, for the safety of your family. The first thing u need to know is which wire is the neutral. If u know which is the neutral u can use that one for the ground also, consequently making a 2 prong into a 3 prong. I seen an electrician do this. Get a "neon tester." This is a neon bulb with two wires coming out of it. Take the screw that holds the cover plate onto the outlet off, and set it to the side. Then plug one wire from the tester into the right-side slot on one of the outlets, and one wire into the left-side slot. The tester should light up. (We did this to make sure the tester works. Sometimes they don't.) If it does, pull the wire out of the left-side slot and stick it into the screwhole. If it didn't light up, stick the wire back in the left-side slot then pull the wire out of the right-side slot and stick it in the screwhole. If it lit up on either occasion, you have a ground going to the box, and you can legally put a three-prong outlet in without rewiring. I tell you this because at one time, they used to wire houses this way--in places like the kitchen and bathroom you needed three-prong outlets, but in bedrooms you only need two-prong, so they'd use outlets and wiring that grounded the center screw. If you really NEEDED a grounded outlet, you bought one of those little 2-prong to 3-prong adapters and ran the screw through the tab to ground it. If you don't get a light on either position, don't put a grounded outlet there.


You just moved in your new home and the outlet for the dryer is a 3 prong your dryer is a 4 prong you should you do?

Change either the plug or the cord. The fourth prong is another ground. It would be easier to change the cord.


Is it necessary to connect the ground wire to a 4-prong 240V outlet - I am switching a 3-outlet to a 4-prong outlet for my new dryer but the ground wire is cut off so I can't connect it?

Only if you wanted to fry your hair.for God sake(and yours)buy a new cord to hook up your dryer


Is a 2 pin plug safe to use?

This depends on what device you use, and where you are using it. If you have a grounded outlet, it is always advisable to use a grounded (3 prong) device over a non-grounded (two-prong) device. Grounding a device has several main benefits. In high current devices, grounding prevents accidental electrocution and dangerous surges. In low current or highly sensitive devices, it protects from current spikes, prevents problems due to static electricity, and decreases electromagnetic noise. In most devices that aren't high-current (like a toaster), or high-sensitivity (like a computer); there is not much of a benefit.


Does a washer need to be grounded?

Absolutely! ... w/o a proper 3rd wire (green, usually) or a 3 prong plug @ a proper outlet, anyone might receive a lethal shock "..IF.." the Washer happened to malfunction, vibration over time caused a bare wire, motor shorted, etc..