Awesome Switching From Two Prong Outlet To Three

Here s what you need to know and do for 2 prong plug replacement.

Switching from two prong outlet to three. If you are unsure of how to run a new ground have a licensed electrician perform the job. If that s the case you need to know how to ground an outlet or make the replacement. Old fashioned two prong receptacles also known as outlets connected to two wire cables don t have the ground wires that protect people and electrical devices in case of a fault.

Adding a ground wire must be done by a professional and each two prong outlet needs to be updated separately. It s pretty uncommon to find two prong outlets in homes today. If your home has multiple two prong outlets 2 upgrade options include.

Since two pronged outlets are not grounded it is essential to replace these receptacles with three pronged versions. Never replace a two pronged outlet with a three pronged outlet while the circuit is hot. Yet it is possible to retrofit a new three prong or gfci receptacle into the same outlet box without any rewiring as long as the box itself is grounded.

Either way it s best to have an expert tell you what s been done and what the safest way to modify is. Still it may happen that you move into an older home with one or a few 2 prong outlets. If all your outlets are two prong than you can easily assume that the building has not been grounded but if you have a few three prongs in the mix say behind your fridge then your building s wiring may be grounded but your landlord hasn t put in the time and money to convert all the outlets to grounded three prongs.

Builders now install three prong outlets and most landlords have switched 2 prong to 3 prong outlets. Adding in a ground wire to upgrade to a 3 prong outlet.