[HAM] 2 prong to 3 prong (grounded) power cord

[Ted Thompson]

Precisely, and no Human would have been harmed.

Example (for others reading this thread):

Post WWII the do it yourself boom began, and manufactures realized a 
market for home grade power tools.  Electric drills (and most other 
tools) had 2 wire cords and metal cases.

As a result the hot lead could, if there was a fault, short to the shell 
of the tool and make the tool 110v ac on the outside.  Since there was 
no safety ground, the tool could be plugged in and become a lethal time 
bomb, as no breakers or fuses would be tripped.

If a person were to grasp the tool and be in contact with ground, they 
would complete the circuit and be electrocuted.

If the shell of the tool were grounded, then the instant it shorted to 
the hot lead a breaker or fuse would let go, saving anyone from harm.

As a result, all power tools today must have a non conductive shell, 
and/or polarized plugs and/or a safety ground.

Again, for other readers, Polarized plugs insure (if the outlet is wired 
correctly) that hot goes to the fuse and power switch which limits the 
danger in a unit with a blown fuse or that is turned off.

Most Hammonds and vintage amps need to have switches and fuses rewired 
to be all on the same side of the power line and correctly connected to 
the hot lead when a three wire cord is added.

Cheers!

Ted Thompson
General Manager - Speakeasy Vintage Music

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OF wrote:
> At 10:09 AM 1/8/2007, Ted Thompson wrote:
> 
>> This makes no sense.  If it were grounded you never would have been bit, 
>> that's the whole point of the safety ground.
>>
>> Obviously, if you are adding a ground you want to be sure there is no 
>> pre-existing problem that will cause something to short and burn out once 
>> the ground is in place.  But the threat of some future failure due to a 
>> safety ground being present is no reason not to put one in place.
>>
>> A new power transformer is pretty cheap when weighed against the cost of a 
>> funeral.
> 
> If it had been grounded it would have blew up.
> 
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