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Ungrounded power cord: Will I die?

I'm always reading about the dangers of lifting ground from a power cord, especially in manufacturer manuals. Does this only apply to lifting ground from a grounded cord or just using an ungrounded cord, period? There are tons of devices in our homes that use ungrounded power cords (think wall wart). How is it possible that my house has not erupted into a ball of flames yet?

Anyway, I have a 2-prong power cord with a 3-prong IEC female end that came with my Luxman amp. I am getting the outboard power supply for my Calyx 24/192 DAC, but it requires an additional power cord. The Luxman cord sounds pretty good so I want to use that instead of spending another $500 to buy another one, which is +150% of the power supply itself!

What say ye?
eugene81
herman
2,252 posts
 
.

The danger is getting shocked, not bursting into flames.

Wall warts and many other devices have plastic cases so even if the case contacts the line voltage you can't get shocked so they don't need the ground.

If it came with a three prong plug then safety standards dictate it should be there.

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eugene81 OP
270 posts
 
Herman, my Japanese amp came with this power cord that has a two prong male end and three prong female end. Since it was manufactured this way does that mean the cord is safe? Japanese household electricity is only 2 prong. Is there something about their electrical grid that is inherently more safe so that household devices don't require a ground plug? Is there something about Japanese electronics that make them more safe? Also, why the heck does a Japanese amp have a three prong female end when they don't have any three prong outlets? I know mine was converted for American 120V, but pictures of Japanese 100V show the same IEC plugs. There are lots of American devices other than wall warts that use 2 prong plugs that aren't necessarily plastic. A floor lamp comes to mind. If it is so hazardous to use an ungrounded power cord then why isn't it required for ALL electrical devices in the US?

Anyway, a 5V output DAC PSU doesn't strike me as a high powered device so I think I will just take the risk.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
"Typical stereo electronics will (probably) not kill you if somehow a short develops to ground."

It is not short to ground but short to case, that we worry about and we (probably) don't want to be killed.

"The real exception is tubed electronics, and Color tube TVs. Both carry fatal voltages inside, and should be treated with respect.

Any 110V device carry fatal voltage inside and should be treated with respect.

"And no one does not have to be worried about items with only a two prong plug."

You have to be worried if equipment was designed to be used with three prong plug. Two prong plug devices are designed differently (plastic case or metal case separated by plastic inside). Converting device designed to work with ground prong (isolation class I) using cheater plugs is unwise and dangerous. Recommending it to others is even worse.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
You will die in 3 days Rip !!
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