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#61489 01/26/06 04:35 PM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,691
S
SvenNYC Offline OP
Member
I thought that the sale and use of these ground-adapter devices was illegal in Canada.

Why then is this ...thing... being sold at a large chain like Rona? [Linked Image]

[Linked Image from rona.ca]

#61490 01/26/06 05:45 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
In the US they delisted the ones with the pigtail for the ground but I think these "strap" style are still legal.

I'm not sure why.

If the box is not grounded, the device screws made up metal to metal tight and the strap connected to the center screw of the duplex, you might as well just cut the ground pin off the plug cap.


Greg Fretwell
#61491 01/26/06 06:21 PM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 349
Member
Connecting the strap conductor to the center screw might not be completely useless - it makes it more dificult to swipe your adapter when someone else needs one.

If pluging a 3 prong plug into an ungrounded receptacle became unavoidably necessary, I'd rather use one of those dumb adapters, strap left hanging or removed, than to remove the ground prong from the plug. If later you are able to plug into a grounded outlet, you'd need to replace the plug first.

Radar


[This message has been edited by Radar (edited 01-26-2006).]


There are 10 types of people. Those who know binary, and those who don't.
#61492 01/26/06 09:18 PM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 265
S
Member
You are right, Sven. Those adaptors are illegal in Canada. I suppose Rona doesn't realize they are illegal. Same as with anything else electrical - if it isn't approved for use in Canada, you can't sell it - yet I see rolls of unapproved offshore electrical tape for sale here all the time.

The only thing you can do is bring it to their attention, and hopefully they will pull it off the shelf.

As for the ground on these adaptors, I have yet to see anyone who has taken the time to bond it to the cover screw.


Sixer

"Will it be cheaper if I drill the holes for you?"
#61493 01/26/06 09:26 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,438
Member
It still kinda baffles me that those are (still) legal here in the states! I've no idea how to find out actual statistics, but I'd be afraid to know how many people have been electrocuted while using one of these. [Linked Image]

#61494 01/27/06 12:29 AM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
I imagine you have put your finger on it. I doubt there is really much of a body count so it doesn't get outlawed.
NFPA is a tombstone agency, never doing anything without a body count ... unless someone has a new product they are selling.


Greg Fretwell
#61495 01/27/06 12:38 AM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,691
S
SvenNYC Offline OP
Member
Quote
In the US they delisted the ones with the pigtail for the ground

They're still sold in hardware stores and dollar stores all over the place here.

Obviously they don't have a UL seal....

Wonder why they delisted those. I know a lot of those are non-polarized...which sort of adds to the danger a bit, I'd say.

#61496 01/27/06 01:25 AM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
The ones with the wire pigtail got the listing pulled because you could pinch the wire under the hot prong and actually energize the case of the equipment you were using.


Greg Fretwell
#61497 01/27/06 02:53 AM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 247
T
Member
I've got one here made by Hubbell, that has a ground screw on the adaptor, with a pigtail with lugs on both ends.. appears to be bakelite..

#61498 01/27/06 11:11 AM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,691
S
SvenNYC Offline OP
Member
I have a wacky one with a terminal lug and a pigtail with spade lug. Made by General Electric.

There's an price sticker still stuck on it...about 40 cents American. [Linked Image]

[This message has been edited by SvenNYC (edited 01-27-2006).]

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