Knowledge Builders

why would you not connect a three prong plug to a two hole cord

by Ms. Gilda Mohr III Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

What happens if you plug a 3 prong plug into a 2 prong outlet? This will cause huge current through circuit and fuse will blow. That way, any person handling the appliance will be safe. In absence of that wire, such current may flow through body of person handling to ground, and may be fatal.

Because two-prong outlets are “ungrounded outlets”, meaning they don't have an extra “ground” wire that protects you from possible surges of electricity. And without that extra protection, you're at a higher risk of experiencing: Electric shock.

Full Answer

Where does the hot wire go on a 3 prong plug?

What is the 3rd connector on a 3 prong?

What is the third pin on a three wire plug?

What is the ground and neutral wire?

What color is a hot wire?

How many positive wires are in a 220V outlet?

What side is the neutral on a plug?

See 4 more

About this website

Is it safe to plug a 3 prong plug into a 2-prong outlet?

NEVER remove the ground pin of a 3-prong plug to fit into a 2-prong outlet always have the outlet changed to match the plug. Removing the ground pin from an adapter or using ungrounded outlets can lead to a fire, shock, or even worse.

Can you use a 3 prong plug on a 2 wire cord?

You can't - it's dangerous. A 3 core cable requires a 3 prong plug. Consult an electrician. If you don't then you risk death by an electric shock.

Is it safe to use a 2 to 3 prong adapter?

As long as an adapter plug makes contact with a grounded screw, using a three-prong adapter may be a relatively safe option, at least in the short term. Using an adapter with an ungrounded outlet increases the risk of serious electrical shock or electrocution from faulty or damaged products.

Can a 3 prong go into a 2-prong?

The simple answer to this question is no! Presto, no more need for that goofy adapter! But there's a problem. You cannot simply buy new three-prong outlets to replace two-prong outlets and wire them to the same wires. It's unsafe and could result in electrocution.

Can I use 3 pin plug instead of 2 pin?

Some devices are double insulated so they can use 2 pins safely. Some devices are not and they need 3 pins for safety. 2 pin devices can be connected to either socket, but it will be unsafe to connect 3 pin devices to 2 pin socket without ground.

How do I change a 2 wire plug to a 3 wire?

How to Replace Two-Prong Outlets to Three:Step 1: Check for ground. ... Step 2: Remove the old receptacle. ... Step 3: Connect the new receptacle. ... Step 4: Fasten the ground screw. ... Step 5: Ground the receptacle. ... Step 6: Turn on the power.

Can you plug a 2 pin into a 3 pin?

Is it safe to put a 2-pin plug in a 3-pin socket? Yes. Appliances with 2-pin plugs are double-insulated, meaning that the safety reason for needing the grounding or 3rd pin have been eliminated.

Can I wire an outlet with only 2 wires?

Keep in mind that while a two-wire circuit may be permitted and "legal" in some jurisdictions, it is not as safe as an electrical circuit (and receptacle) that has a grounding conductor.

How to wire a 3-prong plug with 2 wires - Quora

Answer (1 of 37): You could actually do it two ways and it would work, but only one way would be technically correct. The first step is to determine which wires are the “hot” and the “neutral” (if you can). This might or might not be easy, and it might not even be relevant depending on what is on...

Two prong AC plug - which is live and which is neutral

Thanks, I did a quick google search and kept coming up with millions of useless links. I should have clarified - the direction doesn't matter for my application (but I just wanted to hook up the wires with the proper colors in case someone else ever works on it).

Where does the hot wire go on a 3 prong plug?

If a three prong plug is all you have, however, wire it this way: the hot wire goes to the screw on the left side of the plug- As you are looking directly at the plug with the ground prong pointing down.

What is the 3rd connector on a 3 prong?

The 3rd or middle connector on a 3 prong is tied to earth ground of the house. Its protection for you in-case of a short, with your appliance, or you plug itself fails. The 2 vertical slots are hot and hot return. So you have a complete circuit back to the power source.

What is the third pin on a three wire plug?

Let's first undertand the function & working of the third pin in three wire plug. In three wire plug the third pin (other than live and neutral) is connected to a wire which is internally connected to the metal body part of the device from which there could be a possiblity of getting a shock .

What is the ground and neutral wire?

Ground and Neutral are the other two outlet wires. You might be able to get away with tying ground and neutral together in the outlet for your third wire lead. It should be pointed out that dryers are often sitting on concrete floors and concrete is a very good ground conductor.

What color is a hot wire?

The screw color is usually gold. The hot wire may be blue or black- meter it to make sure. The neutral is on the other side- a silver screw, with a brown or white wire. so, as the plug is in the socket, the neutral will be to the left and the hot to the right.

How many positive wires are in a 220V outlet?

That is a 220V AC outlet. It will have 2 positive wires that are each 120VAC that are 180 degrees out of phase. Likewise your electrical panel will have center tapped 220VAC available, and 2-pole breakers are designed to pickup the two hot leads of opposite phase.

What side is the neutral on a plug?

The neutral is on the other side- a silver screw, with a brown or white wire. so, as the plug is in the socket, the neutral will be to the left and the hot to the right. I. Continue Reading. With two wires you won’t have a ground wire, and therefore no ground protection.

2-Prong Plug In 3-Prong Extension Cord: Is It Possible?

I see that you’ve decided to read the article. So, you really want to find out whether you can put a 2-prong plunge in a 3-prong extension cord.

The Physics Behind 2-Prong And 3-Prong: Explained

Are you feeling intimidated because I just mentioned “physics”? It would be a lie if I said I didn’t feel that way either.

Using 2-Prong Plug In 3-Prong Extension Cord: Is It Safe?

I understand that safety is the single most important aspect here. What’s the point if you are not safe in your own house, right? So, let’s talk about that now.

How To Safely Use 2-Prong Plug In 3-Prong Extension Cord?

There are two ways to safely connect a 3-prong extension cord and 2-prong plug together. So, let’s talk about these two.

Final Words

That was my take on whether you can use a 2-prong plug in a 3-prong extension cord. I hope that I have been able to answer your questions.

What type of plug is a 2 prong plug?

That 2-prong plug is a NEMA 1-15 type .

Do you need a ground prong for a wire?

So, chances are the device you are using would not electrocute you if a wire became loose inside and touched the casing. That is why there is not a need for the ground prong.

Which prong is wider than the other?

One prong is wider than the other. The wider prong is the neutral. The neutral is on the left side of the outlet. The slot on the left side of the outlet is wider to accept the neutral (wider) prong of the lamp plug.

How to fix a lamp that won't go in?

Try plugging the lamp in. If it doesn't go, turn the plug over and try plugging it in.

What side of the outlet is the neutral?

The neutral is on the left side of the outlet. The slot on the left side of the outlet is wider to accept the neutral (wider) prong of the lamp plug. That means that the lamp can only be plugged in one way. Not all cords are polarized.

Can a lamp be plugged in one way?

That means that the lamp can only be plugged in one way. Not all cords are polarized. Your lamp cord may or may not be polarized. If it is, the plug will only go into the outlet with the wider prong on the left side to match the wider slot in the outlet.

Can a 3 prong plug go in a 2 prong light?

She said , the three prong plug will not go in but the two prong light plug works fine.

Is there a change of shape around a ground opening?

There is a change of shape around that ground opening so that should be checked out.

Is a lamp cord polarized?

Not all cords are polarized. Your lamp cord may or may not be polarized. If it is, the plug will only go into the outlet with the wider prong on the left side to match the wider slot in the outlet.

Where does the hot wire go on a 3 prong plug?

If a three prong plug is all you have, however, wire it this way: the hot wire goes to the screw on the left side of the plug- As you are looking directly at the plug with the ground prong pointing down.

What is the 3rd connector on a 3 prong?

The 3rd or middle connector on a 3 prong is tied to earth ground of the house. Its protection for you in-case of a short, with your appliance, or you plug itself fails. The 2 vertical slots are hot and hot return. So you have a complete circuit back to the power source.

What is the third pin on a three wire plug?

Let's first undertand the function & working of the third pin in three wire plug. In three wire plug the third pin (other than live and neutral) is connected to a wire which is internally connected to the metal body part of the device from which there could be a possiblity of getting a shock .

What is the ground and neutral wire?

Ground and Neutral are the other two outlet wires. You might be able to get away with tying ground and neutral together in the outlet for your third wire lead. It should be pointed out that dryers are often sitting on concrete floors and concrete is a very good ground conductor.

What color is a hot wire?

The screw color is usually gold. The hot wire may be blue or black- meter it to make sure. The neutral is on the other side- a silver screw, with a brown or white wire. so, as the plug is in the socket, the neutral will be to the left and the hot to the right.

How many positive wires are in a 220V outlet?

That is a 220V AC outlet. It will have 2 positive wires that are each 120VAC that are 180 degrees out of phase. Likewise your electrical panel will have center tapped 220VAC available, and 2-pole breakers are designed to pickup the two hot leads of opposite phase.

What side is the neutral on a plug?

The neutral is on the other side- a silver screw, with a brown or white wire. so, as the plug is in the socket, the neutral will be to the left and the hot to the right. I. Continue Reading. With two wires you won’t have a ground wire, and therefore no ground protection.

1.Should I wire a 3-prong plug with 2 wires? - Quora

Url:https://www.quora.com/Should-I-wire-a-3-prong-plug-with-2-wires

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Url:https://homearise.com/use-2-prong-plug-3-prong-extension-cord/

8 hours ago For maximum protection, you must plug a 3-prong plug into a 3-prong outlet. This is why people are cautioned against fitting a three-prong plug into a two-prong outlet by removing the plug’s …

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15 hours ago Any appliance that is connected with two wires probably doesn’t need protective earth. If you are connecting such an appliance with a two-wire three-prong plug you don’t introduce any extra …

4.How to connect 3 prong plug ino 2 prong extension cord

Url:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZX275tFiR4

2 hours ago  · It is possible to connect a 3-prong extension cord and 2-prong plug together. But there will be one problem. Your electrical appliance will not have a ground connection. As a …

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12 hours ago  · First, twist the stripped ends of the two wires (not together) to make them compact. Now, insert the twisted ends into the screws of the 3-prong plug. Fasten the …

6.Safety outlet not accepting 3 prong plug. : r/electricians

Url:https://www.reddit.com/r/electricians/comments/2ltj34/safety_outlet_not_accepting_3_prong_plug/

12 hours ago  · One prong is wider than the other. The wider prong is the neutral. The neutral is on the left side of the outlet. The slot on the left side of the outlet is wider to accept the neutral …

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