ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Overheard at HD.

I told the guy at the big orange box that I needed some green wire cut. I made a little joke about that being being important. The old guy behind me says "I don't beleive in grounds" Then he starts to mutter about the pump that he is installing for his fountain.
Scott

On what grounds did he make this statement?

I find both of these posts, so far, quite shocking.

What's to bet that he probably ordered a length of #18 zip cord to wire up his pump motor?

Are'nt water fountains Double Insulated?
Or do you guys have a different system over in the US?.
Even if they are, I don't really like that guy's attitude towards basic safety practice, I'd send an Inspector around to his house, pronto!.

[This message has been edited by Trumpy (edited 05-20-2003).]

Well...some of the little (and some not so little) tabletop artsy-fartsy fountains that I've seen for sale use tough three-conductor double-jacketed cords with a moulded on three-pin grounded plug. I have one of these: a clay bowl with rocks and the cord enters through a hole in the bottom and into the tiny pump.

Other small fountains use a low voltage double-insulated pump with a DC motor powered by an outboard "brick" type power supply. The brick's mains cord and plug is of the two-pin variety. It's one of these guys:

110v A.C. IN =D---{p.s.}-------=> D.C. out

This method is probably more flexible in terms of safety certifications and voltage requirements for different markets.

[This message has been edited by SvenNYC (edited 05-20-2003).]

Sorry guys, I should have mentioned that in his cart he had a roll of sealtite. about 15' of black and white wire and a stick of conduit.

No green wire for him.

Scott