Matchless Change Outlet From 2 To 3 Prong

Have a 2 prong outlet.

Change outlet from 2 to 3 prong. Simply adding an outlet with an additional prong will give you added appliance access but it will not give you the safety that grounding provides. If all your outlets are two prong than you can easily assume that the building has not been grounded but if you have a few three prongs in the mix say behind your fridge then your building s wiring may be grounded but your landlord hasn t put in the time and money to convert all the outlets to grounded three prongs. This is the safest options and requires running a ground wire from the main electrical panel to the specific outlet.

Old fashioned two prong receptacles also known as outlets connected to two wire cables don t have the ground wires that protect people and electrical devices in case of a fault. Add a ground wire. Yet it is possible to retrofit a new three prong or gfci receptacle into the same outlet box without any rewiring as long as the box itself is grounded.

The third option to upgrade a two prong outlet is to replace it with a gfci. Change it out for a gfci outlet. Have an electrician run a ground wire from the main electrical panel to the outlet.

Here are your options option 1. Upgrading to a 3 prong grounded outlet is your safest option. If however you have any doubts or concerns it s always best not to risk a severe shock or injury and to call a qualified emergency electrician instead.

If the box is grounded you can install a three prong outlet and ground it by attaching it to the armored or bx cable in the back of the box. Adding a ground wire must be done by a professional and each two prong outlet needs to be updated separately. If you are unsure of how to run a new.

If your home has multiple two prong outlets 2 upgrade options include. How to change a 2 prong electrical outlet to a 3 prong by dave donovan hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. While a gfci will not protect your electronics from power surges it will protect you from electrocution and short circuits.