Ungrounded power cord: Will I die?

I lived in Japan for 9 years and was an audiophile at that time, so I purchased several Japanese components, all of which had two prong plugs. I did not understand why at the time but reading this thread taught me the differences, so thanks to all who helped me get less dumb.
I am wondering about the question around the amp IEC having three prongs on some of the Japanese stuff though. I'm wondering if a power chord with a three prong plug is used with these components would the ground plug be functional? As someone said the Japanese electronics are built with plastic or coated to avoid the need for a ground in the chassis, but I wonder if the female plug on the back has any ground function, or if it is simply there to allow use of aftermarket cords. One might gain a false sense of security if they attached a grounded cord to an amp that had a non-functional ground.

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Purely a guess but I agree with the idea that the Japanese stuff comes with the standard 3 wire input jack to be just that; standard. Those who like to play with power cords would shy away if they couldn't do that.

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I'm guessing if they have a ground there, it is for a reason.

Someone above mentioned it will ground through the interconnects to your other components, and this is not necessarily true. Some equipment has the interconnects isolated from the metal chassis or case. So, don't think this will take care of it.

Some equipment may also have a capacitor/capacitors or other semiconductor connected from a hot 120 volt line to help reduce line noise by tying that hot line noise to the ground, or case that had a ground. If any of these parts shorted, there can be a possibility the case will have the full 120 volt line voltage. Plus, any other part mechanical failure can cause a risk, if it happens.

If this would happen, you could have 120 volts between this to any ground, or your other equipment right next to this unit, with the ground removed. In other words, yes, 120 volts between your amp and preamp, or any other equipment.
Also, to any ground your on, or any other conductive item you may touch.

In my opinion, removing any ground wire that was there always has a risk.

Anyway, I have a 2-prong power cord with a 3-prong IEC female end that came with my Luxman amp.
Eugene81

That is just one of the problems with IEC connectors. For some reason here in the USA IEC connectors have next to no safety standard rules/requirements.

Only power connector I know of used in the USA that has a piss poor contact pressure connection.

Same connector can be used for 120 or 240V applications.

You can buy a cord with a 20 amp female IEC connector with a NEMA 5-15P 15 amp plug on the other end.
Can't do that with a NEMA 5-20R female cord body and a NEMA 5-15P 15 amp plug on the other end.

Definitely can not buy a cord with a 3 wire NEMA 5-15 or 5-20 female receptacle on one end with a two wire plug on the other end.....

So basically IEC connectors are not idiot proof because of the lack of a recognized safety standard. You can damn near do anything you want with the thing.

Anyway, I have a 2-prong power cord with a 3-prong IEC female end that came with my Luxman amp.
Eugene81

That cord should not be allowed to be sold in the USA.
Just for the reason of your post. Someone using the cord on a piece of equipment that requires a cord with a safety equipment ground... End result, same thing as using a ground cheater.

Why did the designer/manufacture of the DAC power supply decide he wanted a safety equipment ground for his equipment? You could ask them. It could be he didn't want to spend the extra cost for the double insulated power wiring, or maybe it could be a design thing.

If you still have the Luxman amp check the back of the unit's IEC male connector. I would bet it only has two blades, the hot and neutral. No safety equipment ground blade.
The Luxman amp uses double insulated power wiring inside so it does not need the safety equipment ground.

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Why did the designer/manufacture of the DAC power supply decide he wanted a safety equipment ground for his equipment

I don't believe he did.

http://www.wickeddigital.com.au/index.php/shop-by-category-find-a-product-type/product/view/11/281

That is a universal 100-240 switching supply. Since outlets in many countries don't have a 3rd prong for ground it would have to be designed to not need one.

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