Ungrounded power cord: Will I die?

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.

"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.

You will die in 3 days Rip !!

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Kijanki is correct on all points. Elizabeth, as usual, gives incomplete and/or bad advice.

Eugene, I really can't say how equipment designed for the Japanese market is configured, but the use of a ground connection (3rd prong) to a metal case is inherently safer than one without. I remember growing up in the 60's before 3 prong plugs and ground faults were common and we would get shocked when we touched the metal washing machine in the basement while standing barefoot on the concrete floor. My dad had an electric drill with a 2 prong cord and a metal case and you could get shocked if you touched it and something grounded like a water pipe.

That doesn't happen these days with better designs and better safety standards that involve plastic cases and/or grounded outlets. Using a cheater plug to defeat the ground can be dangerous. Note I said "can be". The problem for those who do it is they usually have no idea when that is.

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