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Improper ground

Okay, I've got a 20A circuit with 5 receptacles in the chain. Only one of the five have proper ground. As far as I can determine it's the first one in the chain (has a switch also, which btw when I turn it on/off a "pop" can be heard from my speakers). I have a 7 outlet power strip plugged into the grounded receptacle, which comforts me and where I plug my modest gear into since it's grounded.

All the receptacles in the circuit are getting exactly 123 volts each.

By plugging my amp straight into the improperly grounded outlet what are the risks here? Damage to the amp from normal every day usage (don't believe so). Should I get an electrician in here and ground the outlets.

I'm interested in whether I should be concerned with plugging my gear into non-grounded power socket(s)...
notec
notec OP
407 posts
 
Turns out they used two wire cable to string up my circuit after the first outlet in the chain. So no ground was present because it wasn't in the power cable! Had to cut the box out; drill two holes in the corner walls to fish the cable thru; cut the 2 wire out and fish the new 12AWG Romex between the 1st and 2nd receptacles.

Electrician had "really shaky hands" and I was nervous watching him attach my $144 Oyaide R1 AC Receptacle. His helper got electrocuted when trying to grab the fishing wire thru the cutout in the wall of the old outlet. On several occasions I offered to switch the breaker off because he was just charging ahead with live wires. Cost me $150 for 1.5 hours work but some of that was entertainment.

The remaining 3 outlets are still improperly ground in the chain but I only plug a cable modem and router into them...
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
On several occasions I offered to switch the breaker off because he was just charging ahead with live wires.
Electrician had "really shaky hands"
Somehow I think there is a connection there (no pun intended)!
His helper got electrocuted when trying to grab the fishing wire thru the cutout in the wall of the old outlet.
Sure hope you mean "shocked" and not "electrocuted." :)

Regards,
-- Al
jea48
4,504 posts
 
Electrician had "really shaky hands" and I was nervous watching him attach my $144 Oyaide R1 AC Receptacle.
LOL, can you imagine what was going through his mind...
What kind of a nut would spend $144 bucks for a receptacle. He probably was thinking if I scratch this damn thing this guy is going to want me to buy him a new one...... LOL....

I am surprised the electrician, when learning you invested $144 in the receptacle, did not try to talk you into installing a new dedicated 20 amp branch circuit line all the way back to the electrical panel. Labor cost may not have been that much more than all that fishing that went on.
His helper got electrocuted when trying to grab the fishing wire thru the cutout in the wall of the old outlet. On several occasions I offered to switch the breaker off because he was just charging ahead with live wires.
Well not quite electrocuted, but shocked..... Stupidity on their part. The circuit should have been turned off. There was no reason to work it hot. In fact working it hot may have added time to the job.
......
notec OP
407 posts
 
Indeed - I did mean "shocked..."
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