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This type of question usually means you aren't ready to do this yourself. Study some electrical material and the National Electrical Code and work this answer out for yourself, or call a professional electrician. If I were to give you an answer, you might attempt to do something you shouldn't be doing, and that may cost someone a shock, a home fire, or their life.

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Can you change a 2 prong plug with a three prong plug if you use a GFCI breaker?

NO - it is not safe to do that. A GFCI breaker is only a secondary safety device and your primary safety still depends on the earth wire in a 3-pin supply.


What is a reusable circuit protector a circuit breaker - a fuse - a 10 gauge copper wire or a three prong outlet?

A circuit breaker is the only reusable circuit protector in that list. A fuse is also circuit protection, but it is not reusable. A length of wire can work like a fuse in some applications, such as feeding transformers on poles, but the wire would have to be small enough of a gauge to be able to burn out when overloaded. However, the wire would need replaced after an overload. A three prong outlet is for protecting humans, not circuits. The ground wire is for providing a low impedance fault current path back to the breaker to trip the faulted circuit's breaker (or fuse). The opening of the circuit will prevent a possible fire. However, a three prong outlet doesn't actually provide the protection of tripping the circuit.


Does third prong protect the electrical device from damage?

The third prong in an electrical plug is the grounding prong, which helps protect electrical devices from damage by providing a path for excess electricity to safely dissipate to the ground. It helps prevent electrical shocks and fires by redirecting these excess currents away from the device.


What does the circle prong on a 3 prong plug do?

Ground wire


How would you identify if an Electrical Appliance had a grounding Wire?

If you have a brand new appliance (hair dryer, toaster, fridge, tv etc) and it comes with a plug with three prongs it has a ground. If it comes with two prongs it is not grounded. The only time an electical appliance should not have three prongs is if it is "double insulated" double insulated means that the electrical components are on a chaisis that is electrically isolated from the outer case or chasis where the user can touch. This is done to greatly reduce the risk of electrical shock. If the device is not double insulated there must be a third prong or ground prong on the plug. The device will have a ground wire attached to the conducting parts of the device so that if there should be a failure such as a broken wire touching the parts that can be touched the electricity will have a path for electrical flow and again greatly reduce the risk of electrical shock to the user. If you plug in a three prong or grounded appliance and for some reason the breaker instantly trips there might be a dangerous electrical problem with the appliance which is causing electrical flow back through the ground conductor. this would also be slangly called a "shorted" circuit. It almost always causes the breaker or fuse to trip/blow.

Related Questions

Can you change a 2 prong plug with a three prong plug if you use a GFCI breaker?

NO - it is not safe to do that. A GFCI breaker is only a secondary safety device and your primary safety still depends on the earth wire in a 3-pin supply.


If your outlet is a 3 prong outlet can you hook up a 3 prong plug from your old stove to a new stove which has a 4 prong plug?

No you can not you will need to replace the plug with a 4 prong the same as the style of your oven and change your breaker to the correct Amp for your style of 4 prong plug


What is involved in running a 240V dryer line if you have a regular 120V line now?

You will have to install a double pole breaker in the fuse panel and then run new wire (10/3) to the location of the dryer and install the proper plug. You will need a 4 prong plug; the older 3 wire plugs no longer meet code for new work.


How can I replace a 2 prong outlet with a 3 prong outlet in my home?

To replace a 2-prong outlet with a 3-prong outlet in your home, you will need to turn off the power to the outlet at the circuit breaker, remove the old outlet, install a new 3-prong outlet, connect the wires correctly (hot, neutral, and ground), and secure the outlet in place. It is important to follow safety precautions and consult a professional if you are unsure.


Can you safely install 3 prong plugs with old knob and tube wiring?

Install an AFCI breaker on the circuit with the outlets you replace and you will be fine.


What is the proper electrical requirement for a 30 amp dryer receptacle?

The proper electrical requirement for a 30 amp dryer receptacle is a dedicated 240 volt circuit with a 30 amp circuit breaker and a 3-prong or 4-prong outlet.


How to convert a 2 prong outlet to a 3 prong outlet?

To convert a 2 prong outlet to a 3 prong outlet, you will need to replace the outlet with a new one that has a ground wire. This involves turning off the power, removing the old outlet, connecting the ground wire to the new outlet, and installing it properly. It is important to follow safety precautions and consult a professional if needed.


How can I change a 2 prong outlet to a 3 prong outlet?

To change a 2 prong outlet to a 3 prong outlet, you will need to replace the old outlet with a new one that has a ground wire connection. This involves turning off the power, removing the old outlet, connecting the ground wire to the new outlet, and then installing the new outlet securely. It's important to follow safety precautions and consult a professional if needed.


How to change a 2 prong outlet to a 3 prong outlet?

To change a 2 prong outlet to a 3 prong outlet, you will need to replace the old outlet with a new one that has a ground wire. This involves turning off the power, removing the old outlet, connecting the new outlet's ground wire to the electrical box, and then installing the new outlet. It is important to follow safety precautions and consult a professional if needed.


What happens when your heaters three prong electric cord breaks and becomes a two prong cord?

It depend on which prong breaks off. If is its the brass blade the unit will not work. If it is the silver blade the unit will not work. If it is the ground prong, the unit will work but it will not trip the breaker if a short circuit fault occurs. The heater frame could become energized and if you happen to touch a grounded source when touching the heater frame, a nasty shock could result.


How can I safely upgrade a two prong outlet to a three prong outlet in my home?

To safely upgrade a two-prong outlet to a three-prong outlet in your home, you should first turn off the power to the outlet at the circuit breaker. Then, replace the old outlet with a new three-prong outlet, ensuring that the wiring is done correctly and securely. If the wiring in your home is not grounded, you may need to hire a professional electrician to install a ground wire for safety. Remember to always follow proper safety precautions when working with electricity.


How can I safely convert a dryer cord from a 4-prong to a 3-prong configuration?

To safely convert a dryer cord from a 4-prong to a 3-prong configuration, you will need to disconnect the old cord and connect the new cord following the manufacturer's instructions. Make sure to turn off the power to the dryer before starting the process and consult a professional if you are unsure about the steps involved.