Originally Posted by renosteinke
I do see the need for a real ground path, though. Electronic appliances often use the ground path ... either to always have power ("instant on," timers, motion sensors, etc.), or in order for the surge suppressor to work.


Any intentional use of power should never use the ground path. The grounding conductor is used for grounding of any metal parts (safety ground) and surge suppression.

Most surge suppressors have 3 separate surge suppression devices in them. One protects against line-to-neutral (L-N) surges, one protects against line-to-ground (L-G) surges, and one protects against neutral-to-ground (N-G) surges. Without the ground, the L-N protection should still work, but the L-G and N-G will not.