How do you change a 2 prong wall outlet to a 3 prong?

Answer 1

I assume you mean a standard (15 or 20-amp) outlet and are not trying to make a 220 connection for a stove, dryer or air conditioner. If that's what you want, forget it. You would need to run more and heavier wires and install a different shape of outlet and a different circuit protector. Otherwise, most people just hook up the two wires to the new outlet and ignore the second ground connector. Of course, then they don't have the safety feature of a second ground, and this would be unsafe and possibly illegal.

To do it right, you need to have your electrician run a third wire from the second ground back to the grounding bar in the breaker box, or install GFCI protection.

The National Electrical Code (NEC) 406.3(D)(3) allows this without a third (grounding) wire, but only IF you install a GFCI receptacle to replace the 2-prong receptacle, or install a GFCI circuit breaker for that circuit, and mark the outlets "GFCI Protected" and "No Equipment Ground".

Answer 2

To change a 2-prong outlet to a 3-prong outlet, you will need to replace the outlet with a new 3-prong outlet and ensure that the wiring is correctly grounded. This may involve running a ground wire to the outlet box and connecting it to the grounding terminal on the new outlet. It is recommended to consult a licensed electrician to ensure the job is done safely and up to code.

Answer 3

Simply change it. You will not have the third ground wire, but that is all. The black wire should, I repeat should be the hot wire, but never assume when it comes to wiring. You can get a tester for a few dollars that has two wires and a small light. This would normally be used to stick in an outlet to see if there is currant. You can extend one side of this tester with a longer wire to reach a known ground, a water pipe will work. Connect one end to the pipe and use the other to test the wiring. When the light comes on that is the hot wire. You could then use a jumper wire from the white or ground wire to the ground wire on the outlet. If you just want to replace the outlet, on the new on the ground screw will be on the end of the outlet on the same side as the white wire, black on the other side.

Answer 4

Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz power supply service.Install the correct sized breaker in your main supply panel, then install a new correct size 3-wire cable containing "Hot", "Neutral" and "Ground" wires from that breaker to a proper wall box at the new outlet location. Then wire in a new grounded outlet.

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If you do not install a Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor (GFCI) - see below - you must install a correct size 'grounded' conductor to connect to the 3rd prong. Alternating current will travel back and forth on the two other conductors.

Having a properly connected ground conductor means that, if a fault occurs in the appliance and/or to its cord and plug - which could, for example, either cause someone to receive an electric shock or cause the equipment to overheat and catch on fire - the electrical fault current will flow throug the the 'grounded' conductor to earth rather than follow a path through you.

DO NOT BECOME PART OF THE CIRCUIT!

Alternatively

Under the National Electrical Code (NEC) you may install a GFCI to protect the hot and neutral conductors - whether or not there is a grounded conductor - and use 3-prong outlets for the remainder of the outlets "downstream" from the GFCI.

If there is no grounded conductor installed, a GFCI wired in this manner, and any receptacles protected by it, are each required to be clearly marked with a label saying:

"NO EQUIPMENT GROUND".

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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

Answer 5

Quetion too vague. All over the world outlets are different. Are you talking permanent or holiday. Are you talking mains voltage. If you are talking two wire equipment into a 3 pin plug, just connect the live and neutral pins BUT ensure the wiring is the right way round.

Answer 6

Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.

1. For safety reasons you should never ever change an existing 4-prong outlet to a 3- prong outlet.

2. What you need to do is this: change the appliance's cord to 4-prong and break the neutral link (bond) inside the appliance.

3. This will ground the chassis correctly using the 4-prong wiring and keep it to code.

4. Warning: before you do anything you must be certain that the 4-prong outlet has been correctly installed, having 2 "hot" wires (usually red and black), one neutral wire (white or grey) and one safety protective ground wire (either bare copper wire or wire with green sleeving). If you don't know how to test these wires correctly and safely then you should not attempt to do this job yourself!

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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

Answer 7

For USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.

It is a very good idea to change a three prong appliance to work on a four prong socket outlet because the four-prong design is a much safer electrical system, but you should not be thinking of doing it yourself unless you have been trained how to work safely on electrical power services.

The fact that you have asked this question here means that you may not have the necessary experience.

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Dryer or range plug three to four

Yes this is possible and for safety's sake highly recommended. Instructions should come with the new cord. Open up the electrical access panel on the back of the appliance. You will see a terminal block with three wires going into it from the existing plug cord assembly. A red and black and white are now connected to the terminal strip. Look at the position and colours of the existing 3 prong cord and how it is connected. Make a diagram. Coloured wires on the outside terminals white in the center. From the center wire terminal you will see a jumper strap that goes to the frame of the appliance. When installing the new four prong plug this jumper is removed completely. The kit should have with it a grounding lug that connects to where the removed grounding strip attached to the frame of the dryer. This is the attachment point for the fourth green ground wire from the new dryer cord assembly.

<><><>

As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

Answer 8

You can get a three prong to two prong adapter at almost any place that sells elect. item's. Be sure to screw the little metal tab on the adapter to the receptacle plate.

Answer 9

buy new sockets at a home inprovment store,then turn off electric and replace

Answer 10

bro just cut the bottom prong