The Hidden Dangers of Ungrounded or Improperly Grounded Electrical Outlets
Having a grounded electrical system is something many of us take for granted on a day-to-day basis. With a brief glance at the three-prong electrical outlets that line our walls, we make an unconscious note that our electrical systems are grounded, safe, and ready to go. However, if you live in an older home, you might be surprised to learn that your apparently grounded three-prong outlets aren’t actually grounded. In fact, even some newer homes can be improperly grounded as a result of a seemingly small electrical error during the wiring process. This can be very dangerous and deserves your attention, regardless of whether you own your own home or rent the home you are currently in.
An outlet that electricians describe as “open ground” contains a three-prong outlet that has only been wired with two wires. These outlets have a live and neutral wire, but no ground wire. These are particularly dangerous because they give the illusion of being grounded, but provide no additional protection. What dangers does this present and how can it be verified?
Product warranties
A little known fact about electrical grounding is how it affects your product warranties. Most appliances, such as dishwashers, dryers, and refrigerators, must be plugged into a grounded electrical outlet to be eligible for warranty replacement. By plugging them into an outlet that is not grounded, you will essentially void your warranty and risk losing the entire appliance in the event of an electrical shock or overload.
Electrical Shock Hazards
Your main concern when it comes to proper grounding should be electric shock. Any outlet in your home that is not properly grounded is a hazard to you and your family. If someone in your home is electrocuted by your standard 120v outlet, the result can be serious injury or even death. Because of this, avoid any device that attempts to bypass ungrounded outlets.
Is your outlet grounded?
You can verify this for yourself by purchasing an inexpensive plug-in tester at almost any home improvement store. These devices are relatively cheap and reliable. Another method would be to turn off the electricity at the breaker panel and take a look at the back of the outlet. This method, however, is not foolproof and should only be attempted by a trained professional. The best way to tell if your outlet is truly grounded is to hire a professional. If you have any questions about your electrical system, never hesitate to call a local electrician. Not only can they tell you whether or not your system is grounded (often for free), they can also quickly and efficiently fix the problem if it exists.
Next steps
If you are testing your outlets on your own, you should call a professional if even one of the outlets has a negative reading. This could indicate more electrical problems, more ungrounded outlets, and other hazards. To be sure, call an electrician to test the integrity and safety of your entire system.