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wiring home generator and transfer switch wiring a 220 volt range cord outlet Wiring for GFCI Outlets Wiring Outlets and a Switched Outlet Wiring and Installing Ceiling Fans and Remote Controls wire dimmer switch wiring diagrams for switches wiring a dryer cord and 220 outlet circuit breaker panel
Electrical Wire and Cable


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


Home Electrical Wiring Video

How to Wire a GFCI Outlet
without a Ground Wire

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» AskTheElectrician «

NOTE: A List of All my Helpful Videos
Will Display at the End of This Video
So Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right!

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.


The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Here's How to Do It:
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book

Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.


Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my Online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example


Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


More articles about Grounding Outlets and Receptacles, Outlets and Home Electrical Wiring:
« Previous Next »
How Many Receptacle Outlets Are Allowed Per Circuit Generator Transfer Switch Using Circuit Breakers


FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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