Weird Grounding of Power Equipment - ECN Electrical Forums

Submitted via Joe Tedesco:

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A buddy I work with sent me these photos of an old skill saw that shows a grounding conductor/cord configuration I've never seen before on a power tool. Do you have any idea when the "3rd wire" came into play. Also, we read that these types of cords and grounding configuration is a "death trap". Have you heard this and why?
Appreciate your feedback.

Scott S. Arsenault

you were supposed to connect the green wire to the cover plate screw.

the "death trap" comes into play if you don't connect that wire and plug the tool into a duplex receptacle that has another item plugged into the other outlet. the loose ground wire could contact the hot prong on the other appliances cord. this would energize the housing of the power saw.

Deathtrap,
Not to mention the frayed insulation where the cord goes into the plug. It looks like its the green wire that is bare but I'm sure that the hot and neutral arent far behind.