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Why Outlet Adapters are Not Safe and What the Alternatives Are

The Problem with 2Prong Ungrounded Outlets: The Risks Involved when Using Adapters and Solutions to Consider, Upgrade the Wiring or Install a Ground Wire to Make it Safe

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Possible Risks when using 3Hole Outlet Adapters
Electrical Question: I live in an old apartment, and it only has 2 plug outlets.

Please help, Thank you so much!

This electrical wiring question came from Jen, in San Jose, California.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Jen.

The Problem with 2Prong Ungrounded Outlets

The Risks Involved when Using Adapters and Solutions to Consider

Resources about Wiring Outlets and Electric Dryers

Electrical Outlet Wiring
outlet-wiring

Wiring Electrical Outlets for the Home

Home electrical wiring includes 110 volt outlet receptacles which are common place in every home. See how to wire electrical outlets.

How to Wire a Dryer Cord
clothes-dryer-wiring

3Wire and 4Wire Configurations for Clothes Dryers

See an electric dryer installation with a typical 220 Volt electric power cord wiring system with 3-wire or 4-wire electric dryer, or a 3-wire or 4-wire outlet, how the electric dryer is wired and what to do if your cord does not match the plug.


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Includes:
Home Electrical Wiring - Room by Room
120 Volt Circuits
240 Volt Circuits
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Wiring Methods for Installing Home Electrical Circuit Wiring
Electrical Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
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Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

More articles about Grounding Outlets and Receptacles, Outlets and Home Electrical Wiring:

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FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

4 Responses to “Why Outlet Adapters are Not Safe and What the Alternatives Are”
  1. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Chris,
    The Ceiling Fan Blue Wire
    These typical the light fixture wires found on most ceiling fans:
    The blue wire is the power, and the white wire is the neutral.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave

  2. Chris Payne says:

    I would like to add a lamp to a ceiling fan. After removing the cap covering the wiring I see a white wire (common?) and a blue wire which I think might be the hot wire. Please advise,
    Chris Payne

  3. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi David,
    Yes, a GFCI outlet may be wired to knob and tube wiring as described in the instructions found in the article: Knob and Tub Wiring and GFCI.
    To help verify the polarity of the knob and tube wires a non-contact voltage tracer may be used.
    The label which comes with the GFCI outlet must be applied to the face of the outlet which states that the outlet is not grounded, however the GFCI circuitry will still provide ground fault protection.

    Be Careful.
    Dave

  4. David Yurick says:

    I have a question regarding knob and tube wiring. Is there a safe way to wire a 15 amp GFCI outlet to knob wiring?

    Thank you.