risk of no grounding

[Newmarket2]

I need to plug in my laptop for power but the wiring isn't grounded.
Is this dangerous?
Is there anything I should do?

 

[johnb35]

You must live in an old house with no grounded outlets. If you have a 3 prong charger then you need to get a adapter so it will fit into a 2 prong outlet.

There isn't much you can do besides that.

 

[Newmarket2]

Yes, built in 1960. We're going to rewire, but in the meantime....

Is this adapter safe or is it just to make me feel better?

 

[johnb35]

They are used all the time in older homes, nothing to worry about. Like I said before, there is nothing to do but get an adapter. You can get them at any hardware store or homecenter like home depot, lowes or menards.

 

[Newmarket2]

OK, so I'll do that. But will that mean that I am actually grounded?

 

[johnb35]

No, you won't be grounded. The adapter will just allow you to put the 3 prong charger into a 2 prong outlet.

 

[Newmarket2]

Isn't there a little tab where you screw the outlet plate through the tab?

 

[MyCattMaxx]

The output on most laptop power supplies isn't tied to earth ground anyway except through the neutral conductor so it is no big issue.
The laptop supplies I have here are 2 prong.

 

[johnb35]

Isn't there a little tab where you screw the outlet plate through the tab?

On some adapters yes. But if there is no ground wire in the wiring, you won't be grounded anyway. You are worrying over nothing.

 

[Newmarket2]

Thanks. I'll use an adapter.

 

[Toast]

You could replace the outlet.

 

[johnb35]

You could replace the outlet.

He has no ground wire in the wiring, it still won't be grounded.

Also its gonna be a huge undertaking to replace all the wiring in the home since I doubt they used conduit.

 

[Newmarket2]

1/2 the house has been rewired and we knew what we were getting when we bought it. I'm just trying to function in the meantime.