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How could using an ungrounded appliance with a grounded extension cord be a fire hazard?
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up vote
19
down vote
favorite
My local fire department, @Barrie_Fire, recently tweeted (then subsequently deleted) this:
Don’t even THINK about using a 2-prong plug in a 3-hole slot! Use
only the required number of slots in an outlet or power strip.
Below was a picture of a burned-out grounded extension cord.
I'm hesitant to argue with anyone in the business of keeping our food, shelter, clothing and loved ones from combining with oxygen, but this seemed quite strange; I can't think of any possible way this could be a fire hazard.
The NEMA 5-15 wall receptacles in Canada are grounded by default, for reference.
mains safety grounding
edited 2 days ago
Scott Seidman
21.6k43180
asked Sep 8 at 21:16
0xDBFB7
526517
add a comment |Â
up vote
19
down vote
favorite
My local fire department, @Barrie_Fire, recently tweeted (then subsequently deleted) this:
Don’t even THINK about using a 2-prong plug in a 3-hole slot! Use
only the required number of slots in an outlet or power strip.
Below was a picture of a burned-out grounded extension cord.
I'm hesitant to argue with anyone in the business of keeping our food, shelter, clothing and loved ones from combining with oxygen, but this seemed quite strange; I can't think of any possible way this could be a fire hazard.
The NEMA 5-15 wall receptacles in Canada are grounded by default, for reference.
mains safety grounding
edited 2 days ago
Scott Seidman
21.6k43180
asked Sep 8 at 21:16
0xDBFB7
526517
10
Note to Barrie Fire Dept: don't believe everything you see on YouTube! (apparently their warning was based on misinformation in or misunderstanding of a YouTube video)
– Peter Bennett
Sep 8 at 23:10
2
FYI, the tweet's been removed now. An archive or screenshot might still be available somewhere, if it matters now.
– Xen2050
Sep 9 at 2:39
2
@JonathonReinhart I'm hesitant to link to the tweet now; this seems to have taken off to some degree, and I don't wan't the fire department to get flack :)
– 0xDBFB7
2 days ago
In the US, neutral and ground are connected on the panel. Fire department usually do not consist of electricians.
– Sebastian
2 days ago
The original tweet has been deleted, most likely because they acknowledged the inaccuracy: they sent a corrective tweet twitter.com/Barrie_Fire/status/1038898725391925248
– dim
2 days ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
19
down vote
favorite
up vote
19
down vote
favorite
My local fire department, @Barrie_Fire, recently tweeted (then subsequently deleted) this:
Don’t even THINK about using a 2-prong plug in a 3-hole slot! Use
only the required number of slots in an outlet or power strip.
Below was a picture of a burned-out grounded extension cord.
I'm hesitant to argue with anyone in the business of keeping our food, shelter, clothing and loved ones from combining with oxygen, but this seemed quite strange; I can't think of any possible way this could be a fire hazard.
The NEMA 5-15 wall receptacles in Canada are grounded by default, for reference.
mains safety grounding
edited 2 days ago
Scott Seidman
21.6k43180
asked Sep 8 at 21:16
0xDBFB7
526517
My local fire department, @Barrie_Fire, recently tweeted (then subsequently deleted) this:
Don’t even THINK about using a 2-prong plug in a 3-hole slot! Use
only the required number of slots in an outlet or power strip.
Below was a picture of a burned-out grounded extension cord.
I'm hesitant to argue with anyone in the business of keeping our food, shelter, clothing and loved ones from combining with oxygen, but this seemed quite strange; I can't think of any possible way this could be a fire hazard.
The NEMA 5-15 wall receptacles in Canada are grounded by default, for reference.
mains safety grounding
mains safety grounding
edited 2 days ago
Scott Seidman
21.6k43180
asked Sep 8 at 21:16
0xDBFB7
526517
edited 2 days ago
Scott Seidman
21.6k43180
asked Sep 8 at 21:16
0xDBFB7
526517
edited 2 days ago
Scott Seidman
21.6k43180
edited 2 days ago
Scott Seidman
21.6k43180
edited 2 days ago
Scott Seidman
21.6k43180
21.6k43180
asked Sep 8 at 21:16
0xDBFB7
526517
asked Sep 8 at 21:16
0xDBFB7
526517
asked Sep 8 at 21:16
0xDBFB7
526517
526517
10
Note to Barrie Fire Dept: don't believe everything you see on YouTube! (apparently their warning was based on misinformation in or misunderstanding of a YouTube video)
– Peter Bennett
Sep 8 at 23:10
2
FYI, the tweet's been removed now. An archive or screenshot might still be available somewhere, if it matters now.
– Xen2050
Sep 9 at 2:39
2
@JonathonReinhart I'm hesitant to link to the tweet now; this seems to have taken off to some degree, and I don't wan't the fire department to get flack :)
– 0xDBFB7
2 days ago
In the US, neutral and ground are connected on the panel. Fire department usually do not consist of electricians.
– Sebastian
2 days ago
The original tweet has been deleted, most likely because they acknowledged the inaccuracy: they sent a corrective tweet twitter.com/Barrie_Fire/status/1038898725391925248
– dim
2 days ago
add a comment |Â
10
Note to Barrie Fire Dept: don't believe everything you see on YouTube! (apparently their warning was based on misinformation in or misunderstanding of a YouTube video)
– Peter Bennett
Sep 8 at 23:10
2
FYI, the tweet's been removed now. An archive or screenshot might still be available somewhere, if it matters now.
– Xen2050
Sep 9 at 2:39
2
@JonathonReinhart I'm hesitant to link to the tweet now; this seems to have taken off to some degree, and I don't wan't the fire department to get flack :)
– 0xDBFB7
2 days ago
In the US, neutral and ground are connected on the panel. Fire department usually do not consist of electricians.
– Sebastian
2 days ago
The original tweet has been deleted, most likely because they acknowledged the inaccuracy: they sent a corrective tweet twitter.com/Barrie_Fire/status/1038898725391925248
– dim
2 days ago
10
10
Note to Barrie Fire Dept: don't believe everything you see on YouTube! (apparently their warning was based on misinformation in or misunderstanding of a YouTube video)
– Peter Bennett
Sep 8 at 23:10
Note to Barrie Fire Dept: don't believe everything you see on YouTube! (apparently their warning was based on misinformation in or misunderstanding of a YouTube video)
– Peter Bennett
Sep 8 at 23:10
2
2
FYI, the tweet's been removed now. An archive or screenshot might still be available somewhere, if it matters now.
– Xen2050
Sep 9 at 2:39
FYI, the tweet's been removed now. An archive or screenshot might still be available somewhere, if it matters now.
– Xen2050
Sep 9 at 2:39
2
2
@JonathonReinhart I'm hesitant to link to the tweet now; this seems to have taken off to some degree, and I don't wan't the fire department to get flack :)
– 0xDBFB7
2 days ago
@JonathonReinhart I'm hesitant to link to the tweet now; this seems to have taken off to some degree, and I don't wan't the fire department to get flack :)
– 0xDBFB7
2 days ago
In the US, neutral and ground are connected on the panel. Fire department usually do not consist of electricians.
– Sebastian
2 days ago
In the US, neutral and ground are connected on the panel. Fire department usually do not consist of electricians.
– Sebastian
2 days ago
The original tweet has been deleted, most likely because they acknowledged the inaccuracy: they sent a corrective tweet twitter.com/Barrie_Fire/status/1038898725391925248
– dim
2 days ago
The original tweet has been deleted, most likely because they acknowledged the inaccuracy: they sent a corrective tweet twitter.com/Barrie_Fire/status/1038898725391925248
– dim
2 days ago
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
41
down vote
accepted
The Fire Dept is wrong - it is perfectly normal to plug a device with a 2-pin plug into a 3-hole socket.
Breaking the ground pin off a 3-pin plug, then plugging that into a 2-hole or 3-hole socket may produce an electrical hazard - possibility of a shock.
If a high-current load, like an electric heater, was plugged into that burned outlet, and the contacts made poor contact, that would cause the overheating and resulting fire, whether the heater had a 2 or 3 pin plug.
answered Sep 8 at 21:28
Peter Bennett
34.4k12661
2
Think of all those two-prong phone chargers.....
– Solar Mike
Sep 8 at 21:32
6
So you're saying this should be fine then? pbs.twimg.com/media/C6lEnAiW0AE_ufl.jpg :P
– 0xDBFB7
Sep 8 at 21:48
2
@0xDBFB7 by the standards of US home electrical systems, what's the problem? (The OP's question is non-existent in the UK, since you can't plug anything into a wall socket unless it has an earth pin which pushes a mechanical shutter out of the way to allow the other pins to connect. "Unearthed" appliances still have 3-pin plugs, but the unconnected "earth" pin is just a piece of molded insulating plastic, to operate the safety shutter.)
– alephzero
Sep 9 at 0:49
1
@alephzero Yeah, type G and Schuko plugs are really nice. I kind of wonder if it's worth it though; electrocutions are really quite rare even with NEMA 5-15. "you can't plug anything into a wall socket unless it has an earth pin" Don't tell me what I can't do! Give me a big enough screwdriver and a place to rest it and I can open any shutter :P
– 0xDBFB7
Sep 9 at 1:39
@0xDBFB7 Type G plugs like to lay on their back... if you've ever stepped on one you'll come to appreciate that NEMA plugs aren't without their own niceties.
– J...
Sep 9 at 14:42
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
13
down vote
The statement by "Barrie" is nonsense, many devices don't have a ground connection and thus only have a 2-pin mains plug. Such devices are "double insulated" and have the 2-squares logo and possibly some text like:
The damage of that power strip was very likely caused by a short circuit and/or overload. There is no ground/earth connection required for that to happen. Likewise it is unlikely that a ground/earth connection would have prevented that damage from happening.
answered Sep 8 at 21:32
Bimpelrekkie
42k23790
6
That sort of damage is characteristic of a bad connection that resulted in an slow runaway failure. Poor connection->heats up-> heat further degrades connection->heat increases, etc. A properly operating circuit breaker will usually catch a simple overload, but a bad connection can cause a fire even when the actual power being consumed is quite low.
– ajb
Sep 8 at 21:38
What statement are you talking about? I'm not seeing any reference to "Barrie" in the question
– Ferrybig
2 days ago
1
@Ferrybig First line: My local fire department, @ Barrie _Fire, recently tweeted....
– Bimpelrekkie
2 days ago
@Bimpelrekkie DId you consider that, when I posted my comment, the question never contained that name? You sound a bit rude by highlighting part of the question that wasn't there in the first place
– Ferrybig
yesterday
@Ferrybig And I think it is a bit rude suggesting that I should consider what version of the question you read (and how would I know) as there are many: electronics.stackexchange.com/posts/395046/revisions I just remember that there was a "Barrie" mentioned when I wrote my answer. Anyway, I don't understand what the big deal is about "Barrie" being mentioned or not.
– Bimpelrekkie
yesterday
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Connection a 2-prong device into a 3-prong socket is OK. Properly designed 2-prong devices are isolated and don't need protective earth.
What is dangerous is plugging a 3-prong device into a 2-prong socket, or using a 2-prong extension cable with a 3-prong device. That will cut the protective earth wire on an appliance which needs it, exposing the user to electric shock upon failure inside the appliance.
answered 2 days ago
Dmitry Grigoryev
16.5k22770
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
41
down vote
accepted
The Fire Dept is wrong - it is perfectly normal to plug a device with a 2-pin plug into a 3-hole socket.
Breaking the ground pin off a 3-pin plug, then plugging that into a 2-hole or 3-hole socket may produce an electrical hazard - possibility of a shock.
If a high-current load, like an electric heater, was plugged into that burned outlet, and the contacts made poor contact, that would cause the overheating and resulting fire, whether the heater had a 2 or 3 pin plug.
answered Sep 8 at 21:28
Peter Bennett
34.4k12661
2
Think of all those two-prong phone chargers.....
– Solar Mike
Sep 8 at 21:32
6
So you're saying this should be fine then? pbs.twimg.com/media/C6lEnAiW0AE_ufl.jpg :P
– 0xDBFB7
Sep 8 at 21:48
2
@0xDBFB7 by the standards of US home electrical systems, what's the problem? (The OP's question is non-existent in the UK, since you can't plug anything into a wall socket unless it has an earth pin which pushes a mechanical shutter out of the way to allow the other pins to connect. "Unearthed" appliances still have 3-pin plugs, but the unconnected "earth" pin is just a piece of molded insulating plastic, to operate the safety shutter.)
– alephzero
Sep 9 at 0:49
1
@alephzero Yeah, type G and Schuko plugs are really nice. I kind of wonder if it's worth it though; electrocutions are really quite rare even with NEMA 5-15. "you can't plug anything into a wall socket unless it has an earth pin" Don't tell me what I can't do! Give me a big enough screwdriver and a place to rest it and I can open any shutter :P
– 0xDBFB7
Sep 9 at 1:39
@0xDBFB7 Type G plugs like to lay on their back... if you've ever stepped on one you'll come to appreciate that NEMA plugs aren't without their own niceties.
– J...
Sep 9 at 14:42
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
41
down vote
accepted
The Fire Dept is wrong - it is perfectly normal to plug a device with a 2-pin plug into a 3-hole socket.
Breaking the ground pin off a 3-pin plug, then plugging that into a 2-hole or 3-hole socket may produce an electrical hazard - possibility of a shock.
If a high-current load, like an electric heater, was plugged into that burned outlet, and the contacts made poor contact, that would cause the overheating and resulting fire, whether the heater had a 2 or 3 pin plug.
answered Sep 8 at 21:28
Peter Bennett
34.4k12661
2
Think of all those two-prong phone chargers.....
– Solar Mike
Sep 8 at 21:32
6
So you're saying this should be fine then? pbs.twimg.com/media/C6lEnAiW0AE_ufl.jpg :P
– 0xDBFB7
Sep 8 at 21:48
2
@0xDBFB7 by the standards of US home electrical systems, what's the problem? (The OP's question is non-existent in the UK, since you can't plug anything into a wall socket unless it has an earth pin which pushes a mechanical shutter out of the way to allow the other pins to connect. "Unearthed" appliances still have 3-pin plugs, but the unconnected "earth" pin is just a piece of molded insulating plastic, to operate the safety shutter.)
– alephzero
Sep 9 at 0:49
1
@alephzero Yeah, type G and Schuko plugs are really nice. I kind of wonder if it's worth it though; electrocutions are really quite rare even with NEMA 5-15. "you can't plug anything into a wall socket unless it has an earth pin" Don't tell me what I can't do! Give me a big enough screwdriver and a place to rest it and I can open any shutter :P
– 0xDBFB7
Sep 9 at 1:39
@0xDBFB7 Type G plugs like to lay on their back... if you've ever stepped on one you'll come to appreciate that NEMA plugs aren't without their own niceties.
– J...
Sep 9 at 14:42
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
41
down vote
accepted
up vote
41
down vote
accepted
The Fire Dept is wrong - it is perfectly normal to plug a device with a 2-pin plug into a 3-hole socket.
Breaking the ground pin off a 3-pin plug, then plugging that into a 2-hole or 3-hole socket may produce an electrical hazard - possibility of a shock.
If a high-current load, like an electric heater, was plugged into that burned outlet, and the contacts made poor contact, that would cause the overheating and resulting fire, whether the heater had a 2 or 3 pin plug.
answered Sep 8 at 21:28
Peter Bennett
34.4k12661
The Fire Dept is wrong - it is perfectly normal to plug a device with a 2-pin plug into a 3-hole socket.
Breaking the ground pin off a 3-pin plug, then plugging that into a 2-hole or 3-hole socket may produce an electrical hazard - possibility of a shock.
If a high-current load, like an electric heater, was plugged into that burned outlet, and the contacts made poor contact, that would cause the overheating and resulting fire, whether the heater had a 2 or 3 pin plug.
answered Sep 8 at 21:28
Peter Bennett
34.4k12661
answered Sep 8 at 21:28
Peter Bennett
34.4k12661
answered Sep 8 at 21:28
Peter Bennett
34.4k12661
answered Sep 8 at 21:28
Peter Bennett
34.4k12661
34.4k12661
2
Think of all those two-prong phone chargers.....
– Solar Mike
Sep 8 at 21:32
6
So you're saying this should be fine then? pbs.twimg.com/media/C6lEnAiW0AE_ufl.jpg :P
– 0xDBFB7
Sep 8 at 21:48
2
@0xDBFB7 by the standards of US home electrical systems, what's the problem? (The OP's question is non-existent in the UK, since you can't plug anything into a wall socket unless it has an earth pin which pushes a mechanical shutter out of the way to allow the other pins to connect. "Unearthed" appliances still have 3-pin plugs, but the unconnected "earth" pin is just a piece of molded insulating plastic, to operate the safety shutter.)
– alephzero
Sep 9 at 0:49
1
@alephzero Yeah, type G and Schuko plugs are really nice. I kind of wonder if it's worth it though; electrocutions are really quite rare even with NEMA 5-15. "you can't plug anything into a wall socket unless it has an earth pin" Don't tell me what I can't do! Give me a big enough screwdriver and a place to rest it and I can open any shutter :P
– 0xDBFB7
Sep 9 at 1:39
@0xDBFB7 Type G plugs like to lay on their back... if you've ever stepped on one you'll come to appreciate that NEMA plugs aren't without their own niceties.
– J...
Sep 9 at 14:42
 |Â
show 1 more comment
2
Think of all those two-prong phone chargers.....
– Solar Mike
Sep 8 at 21:32
6
So you're saying this should be fine then? pbs.twimg.com/media/C6lEnAiW0AE_ufl.jpg :P
– 0xDBFB7
Sep 8 at 21:48
2
@0xDBFB7 by the standards of US home electrical systems, what's the problem? (The OP's question is non-existent in the UK, since you can't plug anything into a wall socket unless it has an earth pin which pushes a mechanical shutter out of the way to allow the other pins to connect. "Unearthed" appliances still have 3-pin plugs, but the unconnected "earth" pin is just a piece of molded insulating plastic, to operate the safety shutter.)
– alephzero
Sep 9 at 0:49
1
@alephzero Yeah, type G and Schuko plugs are really nice. I kind of wonder if it's worth it though; electrocutions are really quite rare even with NEMA 5-15. "you can't plug anything into a wall socket unless it has an earth pin" Don't tell me what I can't do! Give me a big enough screwdriver and a place to rest it and I can open any shutter :P
– 0xDBFB7
Sep 9 at 1:39
@0xDBFB7 Type G plugs like to lay on their back... if you've ever stepped on one you'll come to appreciate that NEMA plugs aren't without their own niceties.
– J...
Sep 9 at 14:42
2
2
Think of all those two-prong phone chargers.....
– Solar Mike
Sep 8 at 21:32
Think of all those two-prong phone chargers.....
– Solar Mike
Sep 8 at 21:32
6
6
So you're saying this should be fine then? pbs.twimg.com/media/C6lEnAiW0AE_ufl.jpg :P
– 0xDBFB7
Sep 8 at 21:48
So you're saying this should be fine then? pbs.twimg.com/media/C6lEnAiW0AE_ufl.jpg :P
– 0xDBFB7
Sep 8 at 21:48
2
2
@0xDBFB7 by the standards of US home electrical systems, what's the problem? (The OP's question is non-existent in the UK, since you can't plug anything into a wall socket unless it has an earth pin which pushes a mechanical shutter out of the way to allow the other pins to connect. "Unearthed" appliances still have 3-pin plugs, but the unconnected "earth" pin is just a piece of molded insulating plastic, to operate the safety shutter.)
– alephzero
Sep 9 at 0:49
@0xDBFB7 by the standards of US home electrical systems, what's the problem? (The OP's question is non-existent in the UK, since you can't plug anything into a wall socket unless it has an earth pin which pushes a mechanical shutter out of the way to allow the other pins to connect. "Unearthed" appliances still have 3-pin plugs, but the unconnected "earth" pin is just a piece of molded insulating plastic, to operate the safety shutter.)
– alephzero
Sep 9 at 0:49
1
1
@alephzero Yeah, type G and Schuko plugs are really nice. I kind of wonder if it's worth it though; electrocutions are really quite rare even with NEMA 5-15. "you can't plug anything into a wall socket unless it has an earth pin" Don't tell me what I can't do! Give me a big enough screwdriver and a place to rest it and I can open any shutter :P
– 0xDBFB7
Sep 9 at 1:39
@alephzero Yeah, type G and Schuko plugs are really nice. I kind of wonder if it's worth it though; electrocutions are really quite rare even with NEMA 5-15. "you can't plug anything into a wall socket unless it has an earth pin" Don't tell me what I can't do! Give me a big enough screwdriver and a place to rest it and I can open any shutter :P
– 0xDBFB7
Sep 9 at 1:39
@0xDBFB7 Type G plugs like to lay on their back... if you've ever stepped on one you'll come to appreciate that NEMA plugs aren't without their own niceties.
– J...
Sep 9 at 14:42
@0xDBFB7 Type G plugs like to lay on their back... if you've ever stepped on one you'll come to appreciate that NEMA plugs aren't without their own niceties.
– J...
Sep 9 at 14:42
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
13
down vote
The statement by "Barrie" is nonsense, many devices don't have a ground connection and thus only have a 2-pin mains plug. Such devices are "double insulated" and have the 2-squares logo and possibly some text like:
The damage of that power strip was very likely caused by a short circuit and/or overload. There is no ground/earth connection required for that to happen. Likewise it is unlikely that a ground/earth connection would have prevented that damage from happening.
answered Sep 8 at 21:32
Bimpelrekkie
42k23790
6
That sort of damage is characteristic of a bad connection that resulted in an slow runaway failure. Poor connection->heats up-> heat further degrades connection->heat increases, etc. A properly operating circuit breaker will usually catch a simple overload, but a bad connection can cause a fire even when the actual power being consumed is quite low.
– ajb
Sep 8 at 21:38
What statement are you talking about? I'm not seeing any reference to "Barrie" in the question
– Ferrybig
2 days ago
1
@Ferrybig First line: My local fire department, @ Barrie _Fire, recently tweeted....
– Bimpelrekkie
2 days ago
@Bimpelrekkie DId you consider that, when I posted my comment, the question never contained that name? You sound a bit rude by highlighting part of the question that wasn't there in the first place
– Ferrybig
yesterday
@Ferrybig And I think it is a bit rude suggesting that I should consider what version of the question you read (and how would I know) as there are many: electronics.stackexchange.com/posts/395046/revisions I just remember that there was a "Barrie" mentioned when I wrote my answer. Anyway, I don't understand what the big deal is about "Barrie" being mentioned or not.
– Bimpelrekkie
yesterday
add a comment |Â
up vote
13
down vote
The statement by "Barrie" is nonsense, many devices don't have a ground connection and thus only have a 2-pin mains plug. Such devices are "double insulated" and have the 2-squares logo and possibly some text like:
The damage of that power strip was very likely caused by a short circuit and/or overload. There is no ground/earth connection required for that to happen. Likewise it is unlikely that a ground/earth connection would have prevented that damage from happening.
answered Sep 8 at 21:32
Bimpelrekkie
42k23790
6
That sort of damage is characteristic of a bad connection that resulted in an slow runaway failure. Poor connection->heats up-> heat further degrades connection->heat increases, etc. A properly operating circuit breaker will usually catch a simple overload, but a bad connection can cause a fire even when the actual power being consumed is quite low.
– ajb
Sep 8 at 21:38
What statement are you talking about? I'm not seeing any reference to "Barrie" in the question
– Ferrybig
2 days ago
1
@Ferrybig First line: My local fire department, @ Barrie _Fire, recently tweeted....
– Bimpelrekkie
2 days ago
@Bimpelrekkie DId you consider that, when I posted my comment, the question never contained that name? You sound a bit rude by highlighting part of the question that wasn't there in the first place
– Ferrybig
yesterday
@Ferrybig And I think it is a bit rude suggesting that I should consider what version of the question you read (and how would I know) as there are many: electronics.stackexchange.com/posts/395046/revisions I just remember that there was a "Barrie" mentioned when I wrote my answer. Anyway, I don't understand what the big deal is about "Barrie" being mentioned or not.
– Bimpelrekkie
yesterday
add a comment |Â
up vote
13
down vote
up vote
13
down vote
The statement by "Barrie" is nonsense, many devices don't have a ground connection and thus only have a 2-pin mains plug. Such devices are "double insulated" and have the 2-squares logo and possibly some text like:
The damage of that power strip was very likely caused by a short circuit and/or overload. There is no ground/earth connection required for that to happen. Likewise it is unlikely that a ground/earth connection would have prevented that damage from happening.
answered Sep 8 at 21:32
Bimpelrekkie
42k23790
The statement by "Barrie" is nonsense, many devices don't have a ground connection and thus only have a 2-pin mains plug. Such devices are "double insulated" and have the 2-squares logo and possibly some text like:
The damage of that power strip was very likely caused by a short circuit and/or overload. There is no ground/earth connection required for that to happen. Likewise it is unlikely that a ground/earth connection would have prevented that damage from happening.
answered Sep 8 at 21:32
Bimpelrekkie
42k23790
answered Sep 8 at 21:32
Bimpelrekkie
42k23790
answered Sep 8 at 21:32
Bimpelrekkie
42k23790
answered Sep 8 at 21:32
Bimpelrekkie
42k23790
42k23790
6
That sort of damage is characteristic of a bad connection that resulted in an slow runaway failure. Poor connection->heats up-> heat further degrades connection->heat increases, etc. A properly operating circuit breaker will usually catch a simple overload, but a bad connection can cause a fire even when the actual power being consumed is quite low.
– ajb
Sep 8 at 21:38
What statement are you talking about? I'm not seeing any reference to "Barrie" in the question
– Ferrybig
2 days ago
1
@Ferrybig First line: My local fire department, @ Barrie _Fire, recently tweeted....
– Bimpelrekkie
2 days ago
@Bimpelrekkie DId you consider that, when I posted my comment, the question never contained that name? You sound a bit rude by highlighting part of the question that wasn't there in the first place
– Ferrybig
yesterday
@Ferrybig And I think it is a bit rude suggesting that I should consider what version of the question you read (and how would I know) as there are many: electronics.stackexchange.com/posts/395046/revisions I just remember that there was a "Barrie" mentioned when I wrote my answer. Anyway, I don't understand what the big deal is about "Barrie" being mentioned or not.
– Bimpelrekkie
yesterday
add a comment |Â
6
That sort of damage is characteristic of a bad connection that resulted in an slow runaway failure. Poor connection->heats up-> heat further degrades connection->heat increases, etc. A properly operating circuit breaker will usually catch a simple overload, but a bad connection can cause a fire even when the actual power being consumed is quite low.
– ajb
Sep 8 at 21:38
What statement are you talking about? I'm not seeing any reference to "Barrie" in the question
– Ferrybig
2 days ago
1
@Ferrybig First line: My local fire department, @ Barrie _Fire, recently tweeted....
– Bimpelrekkie
2 days ago
@Bimpelrekkie DId you consider that, when I posted my comment, the question never contained that name? You sound a bit rude by highlighting part of the question that wasn't there in the first place
– Ferrybig
yesterday
@Ferrybig And I think it is a bit rude suggesting that I should consider what version of the question you read (and how would I know) as there are many: electronics.stackexchange.com/posts/395046/revisions I just remember that there was a "Barrie" mentioned when I wrote my answer. Anyway, I don't understand what the big deal is about "Barrie" being mentioned or not.
– Bimpelrekkie
yesterday
6
6
That sort of damage is characteristic of a bad connection that resulted in an slow runaway failure. Poor connection->heats up-> heat further degrades connection->heat increases, etc. A properly operating circuit breaker will usually catch a simple overload, but a bad connection can cause a fire even when the actual power being consumed is quite low.
– ajb
Sep 8 at 21:38
That sort of damage is characteristic of a bad connection that resulted in an slow runaway failure. Poor connection->heats up-> heat further degrades connection->heat increases, etc. A properly operating circuit breaker will usually catch a simple overload, but a bad connection can cause a fire even when the actual power being consumed is quite low.
– ajb
Sep 8 at 21:38
What statement are you talking about? I'm not seeing any reference to "Barrie" in the question
– Ferrybig
2 days ago
What statement are you talking about? I'm not seeing any reference to "Barrie" in the question
– Ferrybig
2 days ago
1
1
@Ferrybig First line: My local fire department, @ Barrie _Fire, recently tweeted....
– Bimpelrekkie
2 days ago
@Ferrybig First line: My local fire department, @ Barrie _Fire, recently tweeted....
– Bimpelrekkie
2 days ago
@Bimpelrekkie DId you consider that, when I posted my comment, the question never contained that name? You sound a bit rude by highlighting part of the question that wasn't there in the first place
– Ferrybig
yesterday
@Bimpelrekkie DId you consider that, when I posted my comment, the question never contained that name? You sound a bit rude by highlighting part of the question that wasn't there in the first place
– Ferrybig
yesterday
@Ferrybig And I think it is a bit rude suggesting that I should consider what version of the question you read (and how would I know) as there are many: electronics.stackexchange.com/posts/395046/revisions I just remember that there was a "Barrie" mentioned when I wrote my answer. Anyway, I don't understand what the big deal is about "Barrie" being mentioned or not.
– Bimpelrekkie
yesterday
@Ferrybig And I think it is a bit rude suggesting that I should consider what version of the question you read (and how would I know) as there are many: electronics.stackexchange.com/posts/395046/revisions I just remember that there was a "Barrie" mentioned when I wrote my answer. Anyway, I don't understand what the big deal is about "Barrie" being mentioned or not.
– Bimpelrekkie
yesterday
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Connection a 2-prong device into a 3-prong socket is OK. Properly designed 2-prong devices are isolated and don't need protective earth.
What is dangerous is plugging a 3-prong device into a 2-prong socket, or using a 2-prong extension cable with a 3-prong device. That will cut the protective earth wire on an appliance which needs it, exposing the user to electric shock upon failure inside the appliance.
answered 2 days ago
Dmitry Grigoryev
16.5k22770
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Connection a 2-prong device into a 3-prong socket is OK. Properly designed 2-prong devices are isolated and don't need protective earth.
What is dangerous is plugging a 3-prong device into a 2-prong socket, or using a 2-prong extension cable with a 3-prong device. That will cut the protective earth wire on an appliance which needs it, exposing the user to electric shock upon failure inside the appliance.
answered 2 days ago
Dmitry Grigoryev
16.5k22770
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Connection a 2-prong device into a 3-prong socket is OK. Properly designed 2-prong devices are isolated and don't need protective earth.
What is dangerous is plugging a 3-prong device into a 2-prong socket, or using a 2-prong extension cable with a 3-prong device. That will cut the protective earth wire on an appliance which needs it, exposing the user to electric shock upon failure inside the appliance.
answered 2 days ago
Dmitry Grigoryev
16.5k22770
Connection a 2-prong device into a 3-prong socket is OK. Properly designed 2-prong devices are isolated and don't need protective earth.
What is dangerous is plugging a 3-prong device into a 2-prong socket, or using a 2-prong extension cable with a 3-prong device. That will cut the protective earth wire on an appliance which needs it, exposing the user to electric shock upon failure inside the appliance.
answered 2 days ago
Dmitry Grigoryev
16.5k22770
answered 2 days ago
Dmitry Grigoryev
16.5k22770
answered 2 days ago
Dmitry Grigoryev
16.5k22770
answered 2 days ago
Dmitry Grigoryev
16.5k22770
16.5k22770
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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10
Note to Barrie Fire Dept: don't believe everything you see on YouTube! (apparently their warning was based on misinformation in or misunderstanding of a YouTube video)
– Peter Bennett
Sep 8 at 23:10
2
FYI, the tweet's been removed now. An archive or screenshot might still be available somewhere, if it matters now.
– Xen2050
Sep 9 at 2:39
2
@JonathonReinhart I'm hesitant to link to the tweet now; this seems to have taken off to some degree, and I don't wan't the fire department to get flack :)
– 0xDBFB7
2 days ago
In the US, neutral and ground are connected on the panel. Fire department usually do not consist of electricians.
– Sebastian
2 days ago
The original tweet has been deleted, most likely because they acknowledged the inaccuracy: they sent a corrective tweet twitter.com/Barrie_Fire/status/1038898725391925248
– dim
2 days ago