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

[Charles Buckingham]

Ted Thompson wrote:
> 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.

That's a very important _if_.  I recently moved into a house built in 
1947.  Some of the outlets are original unpolarized 2 prong.  The 
majority of the remaining 3 prong outlets were installed by somebody who 
didn't have a clue about home wiring.  I've been finding open grounds 
and reversed hot & neutrals all over the place.  One potentially (yes, 
pun intended) dangerous outlet was an ungrounded three prong outlet in 
the basement where the washing machine was plugged in.

Circuit testers are cheap.  Lives, not so much.

As for grounding Hammonds, that's another can of worms (not as big as 
recapping generators though ;-) ). There's a lot of good information in 
the archives. Never blindly retrofit any 2 prong electronic device with 
a 3 prong cord without first understanding what you are doing and why.  
It is possible to make things less safe if done incorrectly.

Regards,

Charles