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What happens when you plug a computer into an ungrounded electrical outlet?
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
An electrical outlet has a ground connection as a protection device from electric shock. For example, imagine that you plugged your metal (metal conducts electricity very well) kettle into an ungrounded socket. Everything would be OK if the wiring was fine. However, as soon as the cable or wiring becomes damaged then the electricity will pass into the metal kettle - making the kettle 'live' so the next person to touch the kettle will receive a nasty electric shock. Now if the kettle had a ground wire, then the electricity in the kettle would be passed back to the panel box, tripping the breaker and reducing the chances of electric shock. So in the case of your computer, most of the external parts are plastic so the risk of electrocution is minimised as plastic will not conduct electricity very well. However there are many components in your computer that could be damaged, so it is a risk I would not be willing to make as the ground connection will help protect these parts from damage.
Actually, there is a little more to the answer. The ground is still primarily for protection, and plastic or not, a device with a three-pronged plug should be plugged into a grounded outlet. If it didn't need the ground, the plug would be two-pronged. Now in addition to the safety, many of today's sophisticated devices have made the ground an active part of the circuitry, and will be unstable without it. It's hard to say what your particular computer, or any other device, would do, but there's no doubt that it would be better off with it, and may be damaged without it.
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
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What is the electrical voltage from the house outlet to the computer power supply?
In the U.S.A., 110VAC is the usual household receptacle voltage where lamps, TV's etc are connected and the computer, printer & related devices are also connected. Other countries may have different operating voltages required for computers.
A ups connects between a computer and a?
Mains power outlet.
Items needed to hook up a computer in a lab?
A person will need an outlet in order to plug a computer in order to have a computer working in a lab. They will also need the cords to hook the monitor to the tower.
Who invented the bath plug?
The two prong electrical plug and outlet was invented by David Brown. i know
How do you ground a computer?
Grounding an electrical or electronics device commonly refers connecting it's power inlet ground pin to the ground connection of the power outlet. The power outlet ground connects to the ground connection provided by the electricity utility company or the building's common ground connection. The grounding essentially provides a zero volt reference. Many systems which have a metal chassis provide specific grounding points with screws/nuts to connect grounding wire. To ground chassis of a computer one need to connect ground wire to the metal case.
Is a computer have a generator?
A computer does not have a generator, it requires standard AC electrical current which is available in any electrical outlet throughout your home.
Why is an electrical outlet electrical?
Because it has electricity flowing to the outlet.
Write the steps to switch on a computer?
The steps to switch on a computer begin with making sure that the computer and its peripherals are plugged into an electrical outlet. Turn the power switch on the electrical outlet and press the power button on the computer tower. Turn on the computer monitor and wait for the computer system to start up.
Is it safe to run AC on an ungrounded outlet?
The unit will run but you may get shocked by touching it, now or sometime in the future.
Which of these can be a hazard involving an electrical outlet?
to many electrical cords plugged into one outlet
What energy does a computer transfer?
The energy used to power a computer is Electrical Energy.
What are two main types of three phase connections?
There are two different electrical outlets for North America. The first, electrical outlet A, is used in North America and Japan. It is 2 blade NEMA 1-15 ungrounded. The second, only used in America, is 3 pinned NEMA and both are 15A/125V.
Can you convert an old 15 amp 125 volt electrical outlet to a household electrical outlet?
A 15 amp 125 volt outlet is a household outlet.
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.
When should you use an ungrounded outlet?
If the wiring system into which you are installing an outlet has no ground available, use an ungrounded outlet. In an ungrounded system, an outlet with a ground contact would allow the outlet user to mistakenly, and perhaps dangerously, assume that a ground was present. A suitable ground may be available as a ground wire accompanying the hot and neutral wires in the cable, or a ground may be available via conductive conduit and a metal outlet box. In any case, use a tester to confirm the integrity of the assumed ground. A voltage test from the hot wire to the ground should show the same voltage as between hot and neutral (the black and white wires respectively). If you are replacing an ungrounded outlet, you need not assume there is no ground present. You may find, in the box, ground wires that were not connected to the outlet. You may come across grounded outlets that have no ground wire attached because they rely on grounding via the mounting screws through the outlet ears to the metal box. This is a less reliable grounding method. It is better to buy a ground-wire "pigtail," fasten the wire directly to a hole in the metal box with the supplied screw, and attach the other end of the ground wire to the outlet via the outlet's ground screw.
What happens when a lamp plugged into an electric outlet is turned on?
the form of energy changes and the total of energy increases
What happens when a 220 volts computer plugged into a 240 volts outlet?
Probably nothing bad. However, be certain that your computer is rated for this high of voltage.
