Laptop power adapter missing ground!

jjbpenguin · 07-14-2006, 06:25 AM

I have an hp laptop that has a p4 processor and uses a 120 watt power adapter. Best Buy lost my adapter and gave me some generic cheap one. The main problem lies in that my old power adapter used a 3 prong plug, while the new one only has 2 plugs. I know that the ground is used to prevent getting shocked due to shortcircuiting, but is it dangerous not to have the grounded power adapter when it came with it originally, or is there any other disadvantage of not having it?

PC eye · 07-14-2006, 07:15 AM

The third prong is generally there for additional protection when large appliances draw large amounts of current. The major appliances like console tvs, refrigerators, washing machines and dryers, power tools all are in that catagory. For a small amount that a laptop would see it wouldn't be an immediate concern while you still would want to see the original or replacement ASAP since THEY lost it on you. The current there wouldn't be the concern seen with a major appliance while still you wouldn't want to touch any prong even with the 3rd when plugging it in. zzzzzzap!

could be a surprising outcome there. As far as running your unit temporarily it shouldn't be a problem. Just keep after them for the original.

07-14-2006, 06:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
jjbpenguin Silver Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Oklahoma Age: 22 Posts: 153	Laptop power adapter missing ground! I have an hp laptop that has a p4 processor and uses a 120 watt power adapter. Best Buy lost my adapter and gave me some generic cheap one. The main problem lies in that my old power adapter used a 3 prong plug, while the new one only has 2 plugs. I know that the ground is used to prevent getting shocked due to shortcircuiting, but is it dangerous not to have the grounded power adapter when it came with it originally, or is there any other disadvantage of not having it?

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07-14-2006, 07:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,730	The third prong is generally there for additional protection when large appliances draw large amounts of current. The major appliances like console tvs, refrigerators, washing machines and dryers, power tools all are in that catagory. For a small amount that a laptop would see it wouldn't be an immediate concern while you still would want to see the original or replacement ASAP since THEY lost it on you. The current there wouldn't be the concern seen with a major appliance while still you wouldn't want to touch any prong even with the 3rd when plugging it in. zzzzzzap! could be a surprising outcome there. As far as running your unit temporarily it shouldn't be a problem. Just keep after them for the original.