You need a user account to post in our forum or submit Did-it-Myself projects.

Don't have an account yet? Sign up today.

Login Error

Invaild User/Password combination

Close

Why You Need Grounded Electrical Outlets


by DoItYourself Staff

Every home has a series of electrical outlets and each one can be potentially dangerous. For this reason the electrical outlets are always grounded. Here are several reasons why grounding electrical outlet is so important.

Fire Safety

A great deal of electricity runs through electric outlets. This current is alive even when nothing is plugged in. If the outlets are not grounded, the current may begin an electrical fire. Grounded electrical outlets have a wire attached to them that terminates into to the metal, dispersing the charge.

Power Regulation

One purpose of the grounding of an outlet is to help regulate the amps running through it. Any excess electricity or harp spikes will leach off through the grounding wires instead of spiking through the socket and to the appliance plugged into it.

Electrical Interference

Many appliances that are located near electrical current, like cell phones, can suffer interference. This is very common among electrical outlets that are not grounded. This interference can cause the appliance to not work properly.

Outdoor Use

Outdoor electrical outlets are quite common. If they are not grounded, the moisture from outside would cause a surge and a short which could lead to a fire.

 forum activity