Mistakes can also happen, and corners can be cut during the construction process, both of which can affect safe grounding. Schedule an electrical safety inspection with your local Mr. We offer convenient online appointment scheduling , or you can call us at Want to know more about electrical safety?
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In the case of an alternating current AC system, the direction in which the electricity enters the plug changes periodically. You might be asking yourself why there's a third section on a three prong outlet if the current already has a pathway along which to travel, thanks to the two existing plugs. This is where the ground prong comes in. The ground prong—the part of your plug that goes into the round hole in your outlet—is primarily there for your safety.
The ground prong delivers excess electricity that might have escaped the circuit, like in the case of a loose or uninsulated wire, to the ground. It prevents your electrical unit from being burned.
If there's a spark, it will hit the breaker right away. If, for instance, a wire came loose in your metal-encased appliance and touched its exterior, the device would become electrified. If you were to then touch the appliance's exterior, the electricity could then flow into you, shocking or potentially killing you. However, the ground wire ensures that any errant electrical charges are being sent to ground, a non-conductive destination where they won't cause harm.
The most dangerous way is if the electricity finds a path to the ground through a human body. This can happen if you touch an ungrounded plug or outlet at the wrong moment -- the electricity can travel between the part of your body touching the outlet and your feet on the floor, causing burns, nerve damage and even death, if the surge is powerful enough.
If the surge of electricity finds a path through the structural elements in your home, it can spark a fire. Grounded outlets have three slots, while ungrounded outlets only have two. The rounded, D-shaped slot is the one connected to the ground wire. If you have a newer home, chances are good that you have a properly grounded system.
In homes built in the early s or earlier, there could be a combination of grounded and ungrounded outlets, depending on the electrical upgrades made over the years.
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