ECN Forum Forums Photo Discussion Forums Photos for General Discussion Improper use of extension cords

Rhagfo:

And even if the outlets in that room are the two-hole ungrounded ones, you can still plug in a three-pin plug. We've got these little grey (or sometimes orange) rubber devices called 'cheater plugs.'

You insert your grounded plug into the receptcle end and plug the male end into the wall outlet.

In order to ensure a correct ground, you're supposed to fasten the little copper tab on the cheater plug body with the wall plate screw. However most people don't bother with that extra step and the grounding tab method only works if the outlet box itself is grounded...

Those plugs are safe if you're only using them for temporary things (like using an electric drill in a house with no three-hole outlets), but most people plug them in and leave them in.

Supposedly, these "grounding plug adapters" are illegal to sell and use in Canada. However I wandered into a variety store on St. Catherine's Street in Montreal and saw them for sale by the sales counter (package of two for $1).



TexRanger:

That picture is SO New York!!! This is typical of what people are forced to do here out of necessity.

[This message has been edited by SvenNYC (edited 11-05-2002).]