# Two Prong Outlets **URL:** \ **Category:** Electrical Inspections\ **Created:** [August 8, 2006, 12:44am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383 "2006-08-08T00:44:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![rcooke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rcooke/32/57038_2.png) [@rcooke](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rcooke)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2006, 5:51pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383/21 "2006-08-15T17:51:45Z")
> [@cradan](#): > > I kind of assumed as much, Larry. We describe in our Reports that the outlets are functional, but recommend that the client consider upgrading to “safer and more functional” three-prong type (or GFCI, depending upon location) outlets. Usually when it is an ungrounded system they also have a fuse panel . . I recommend complete upgrade of the electrical syatem I also put in My report ( please check with you insurance Company as many companies have concerns with fused panels and even if insurance is available many charge considerably more for insurance). Roy Cooke ---
**Author:** ![rray](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rray/32/2162_2.png) [@rray](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rray)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 1:27am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383/22 "2006-08-16T01:27:12Z")
> [@cradan](#): > > Hmmm…Parks says they are grounded. Funderburk says they’re not. As I recall, Parks is an electrician. This might call for a poll. Barry Stone and at least one member of the public says they are not: > [@rray](#): > > A timely article from Barry Stone: > _…_ > > _Dear Barry,_ > > _We recently purchased a 50-year-old home, and no one mentioned the **2-prong, ungrounded outlets**._ > > … > > Making no comment about **ungrounded outlets** in an old home is an example of professional negligence. > > … > > An important disadvantage of **ungrounded outlets** is that most surge protection devices on computers are ineffective without grounding. I personally also believe that they are ungrounded. ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Parks](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mike_parks/32/304_2.png) [@Mike\_Parks](https://forum.nachi.org/u/Mike_Parks)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 10:06pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383/23 "2006-08-16T22:06:26Z")
Grounded (Grounding). Connected (connecting) to ground or to a conductive body that extends the ground connection. Grounded Conductor. A system or circuit conductor that is intentionally grounded. The above is from the NEC 2005 Article 100 definitions. If you do not believe me ask this question on [www.mikeholt.com](http://www.mikeholt.com/) . Does Barry have the certifications to make the statements that he does? I like alot of his info, but it his not, nor is mine, gospil. ---
**Author:** ![jwilliams4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/278dde/32.png) [@jwilliams4](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jwilliams4)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 11:22pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383/24 "2006-08-16T23:22:19Z")
> [@Mike Parks](#): > > **Does Barry have the certifications to make the statements that he does?** > > I like alot of his info, but it his not, nor is mine, gospil. Are you saying that Barry is **not** **the inspection GURU???** Wow. Now I feel better, because most of the time I like what he has to say, but sometimes I wonder about the boy. "Course, everybody wonders about me, too. (Sometimes I wonder about me.):roll: :roll: :roll: ---
**Author:** ![cradan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3ec8ea/32.png) [@cradan](https://forum.nachi.org/u/cradan)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 11:37pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383/25 "2006-08-16T23:37:26Z")
Mike…would it be “safe” (excuse the pun) to say that while two prong outlets are grounded by semantic definition and a “grounded” conductor, that a properly-wired three prong outlet with an additional grounding path (conduit, emt, 120v NM 3-wire branch conductors) is a _ **safer** _ installation? Just curious as to what an electrical professional’s take is. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Parks](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mike_parks/32/304_2.png) [@Mike\_Parks](https://forum.nachi.org/u/Mike_Parks)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 1:13am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383/26 "2006-08-17T01:13:49Z")
Chris Yes it is safer. Now how many ‘things’ do you plug into your outlets that have the ‘3rd’ prong. Do you see where I am going? ---
**Author:** ![cradan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3ec8ea/32.png) [@cradan](https://forum.nachi.org/u/cradan)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 2:58am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383/27 "2006-08-17T02:58:50Z")
> [@Mike Parks](#): > > Do you see where I am going? I believe so. From a functionality standpoint as well, most clients (particularly 1st time buyers) seem to get it pretty quickly when you explain to them that they’re going to need lots and lots of 2x3’s. Clearly, they hadn’t thought about that little tidbit when they were admiring some of the other home features. ---
**Author:** ![tallen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f04885/32.png) [@tallen](https://forum.nachi.org/u/tallen)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 3:19am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383/28 "2006-08-17T03:19:52Z")
> [@bwiley](#): > > Excellent language, better too than I was using! Kudos! I like it too!😃 What about a 50’s home that has been upgraded:roll: to three prong outlets, but still has no ground? I see this on almost every pre-60’s home Verbage? I will post mine when I get to my inspection computer. ---
**Author:** ![tallen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f04885/32.png) [@tallen](https://forum.nachi.org/u/tallen)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 3:23am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383/29 "2006-08-17T03:23:13Z")
> [@jwilliams4](#): > > Are you saying that Barry is **not** **the inspection GURU???** > > Wow. Now I feel better, because most of the time I like what he has to say, but sometimes I wonder about the boy. > > "Course, everybody wonders about me, too. (Sometimes I wonder about me.):roll: :roll: :roll: Jae, I know the feeling, but you are correct on this one.🆒:p:p ---
**Author:** ![jschulte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aeb1de/32.png) [@jschulte](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jschulte)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 4:10am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383/30 "2006-08-17T04:10:34Z")
The grounded/grounding issue is really just nomenclature I believe. It is very common to call the grounded conductor the nuetral (that’s how it’s been referred to in this area for years). So while the two prong outlet is “grounded”, in this area “grounded” would commonly refer to the extra grounding protection provided by the third wire. I still refer to the wires as hot, nuetral, and ground, just so I do not have to teach everyone I do an inspection for. Also, the local electricians know what I’m referring to, so it works. Maybe some of the sparkies know some history behind this. ---
**Author:** ![jschulte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aeb1de/32.png) [@jschulte](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jschulte)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 4:12am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383/31 "2006-08-17T04:12:25Z")
By the way, I’ve just added Joe’s wording to my palm. If everyone would send him a nickel that did the same, maybe he could buy himself lunch. ---
**Author:** ![jfunderburk](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jfunderburk/32/187920_2.png) [@jfunderburk](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jfunderburk)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 5:31am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383/32 "2006-08-17T05:31:42Z")
> [@tallen](#): > > What about a 50’s home that has been upgraded:roll: to three prong outlets, but still has no ground? I see this on almost every pre-60’s home > > Verbage? Here’s what I say: “Many receptacles were the 3-prong type and nearly all were ungrounded. Although a ground isn’t required of 2-prong receptacles, if the receptacle is 3 prong and ungrounded, it gives a false sense of safety. Grounding of all 3 prong receptacles or protection with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) is recommended for safety reasons.” ---
**Author:** ![jfunderburk](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jfunderburk/32/187920_2.png) [@jfunderburk](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jfunderburk)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 5:32am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383/33 "2006-08-17T05:32:42Z")
> [@jschulte](#): > > By the way, I’ve just added Joe’s wording to my palm. If everyone would send him a nickel that did the same, maybe he could buy himself lunch. You can go to my website and pay using PayPal. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![rray](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rray/32/2162_2.png) [@rray](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rray)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 7:22am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383/34 "2006-08-17T07:22:11Z")
> [@jschulte](#): > > The grounded/grounding issue is really just nomenclature I believe. It is very common to call the grounded conductor the nuetral (that’s how it’s been referred to in this area for years). So while the two prong outlet is “grounded”, in this area “grounded” would commonly refer to the extra grounding protection provided by the third wire. > > I still refer to the wires as hot, nuetral, and ground, just so I do not have to teach everyone I do an inspection for. Also, the local electricians know what I’m referring to, so it works. Ditto. Not surprisingly, when I tell a Client that they have 2-prong outlets in the dream home they are buying, they always respond, “So they’re not grounded?” or “The ungrounded ones?” or “So we’ll have to installed the grounded ones.” Or something similar. It’s kind of like “main panel” and “subpanel.” I tend to speak and write in a language that my Clients understand, and throughout the years they seem to understand it when I say that the 2-prong outlets are not grounded. As do the electricians around here. ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Parks](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mike_parks/32/304_2.png) [@Mike\_Parks](https://forum.nachi.org/u/Mike_Parks)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2006, 12:12am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383/35 "2006-08-18T00:12:03Z")
Then what you must do is inform them that the EGC (equipment grounding conductor) is not present. No big deal unless you what to plug in a dehumidifier or someother “equipment” requiring the EGC. ---
**Author:** ![rray](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rray/32/2162_2.png) [@rray](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rray)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2006, 7:03am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383/36 "2006-08-18T07:03:43Z")
In “other words,” they’re not grounded. Those “other words” are what my Clients understand. ---
**Author:** ![bsmith](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bsmith/32/1175_2.png) [@bsmith](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bsmith)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2006, 11:40am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383/37 "2006-08-18T11:40:43Z")
The two-prong outlets may or may not be “grounded” depending on whether an EGC has been run to the receptacle box (ex: 2 conductor romex). However, many of the two-prong outlets I have seen were not polarized. Therefore an appliance with a non-polarized plug runs a 50% risk of having reversed polarity. I suggest changing non-polarized two-prongs to be changed.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Parks](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mike_parks/32/304_2.png) [@Mike\_Parks](https://forum.nachi.org/u/Mike_Parks)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2006, 11:50pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383/38 "2006-08-18T23:50:06Z")
I guess I am not clear. All outlets are grounded. The fact that your clients are stupid does not excuse you from using the correct terminology. Remember in court the judge is going to look at what you said NOT what you meant. ---
**Author:** ![jschulte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aeb1de/32.png) [@jschulte](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jschulte)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2006, 11:54pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383/39 "2006-08-18T23:54:00Z")
Mike, we understand what you are saying. We just don’t agree with you. Talking to your clients above their head is not going to keep you out of court. It might confuse them enough that they just ignore the whole statement. ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Parks](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mike_parks/32/304_2.png) [@Mike\_Parks](https://forum.nachi.org/u/Mike_Parks)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2006, 12:05am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383/40 "2006-08-19T00:05:08Z")
Then you need to be able to make then understand!!! Are they not looking to you as the expert? I do not mean this to be MEAN. Lets say your client has me in and explains it to me how you explained it to him. My response would be “he is an idiot”. How many more referral are you going to get if they think that you do not know what you are doing? [Previous page](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forum.nachi.org/t/two-prong-outlets/6383.md?page=3)