2-prong vs 3-prong plug adapter question
Mar 15, 2006 | 3:31 pm
#1
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2-prong vs 3-prong plug adapter question
Okay, we've got to be near the end of my stupid questions (what could be left to ask?), so I'm throwing myself on the mercy of this forum's experts once again.
My laptop's power cord has a three-prong plug. The APC Back-UPS I'm going to be plugging into in France has 3-prong outlets. But the plug adapters that I see here (including APC's) all seem to have two prongs.
Am I misunderstanding the point of that 3rd prong? Isn't that for grounding? Wouldn't it be better to have a 3-prong plug adapter?
And where the heck can I find one?
My laptop's power cord has a three-prong plug. The APC Back-UPS I'm going to be plugging into in France has 3-prong outlets. But the plug adapters that I see here (including APC's) all seem to have two prongs.
Am I misunderstanding the point of that 3rd prong? Isn't that for grounding? Wouldn't it be better to have a 3-prong plug adapter?
And where the heck can I find one?
Mar 15, 2006 | 4:23 pm
#2
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Yes and no. You'll be fine without the grounding, just expect the possibility of some "hum" from your speakers. Of course, I wouldn't run anything off one of those adapters that is safer with grounding (like a kettle or deep fryer), but that isn't what they are made for anyway.
Mar 17, 2006 | 2:49 pm
#3
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Originally Posted by Tennisbum
Am I misunderstanding the point of that 3rd prong? Isn't that for grounding? Wouldn't it be better to have a 3-prong plug adapter?
And where the heck can I find one?
And where the heck can I find one?
You need one of these:
http://www.110220volts.com/Merchant2...gnPlugAdapters
I order from them all the time and they're pretty fast about fulfilling your order.
Mar 17, 2006 | 3:20 pm
#4
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Originally Posted by Peetah
Yes, the 3rd prong is for grounding. Your laptop won't suffer but it might hum.
You need one of these:
http://www.110220volts.com/Merchant2...gnPlugAdapters
I order from them all the time and they're pretty fast about fulfilling your order.
You need one of these:
http://www.110220volts.com/Merchant2...gnPlugAdapters
I order from them all the time and they're pretty fast about fulfilling your order.
Mar 17, 2006 | 4:31 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Brussels, EU
Posts: 279
Funny, I had exactly the same conversation with our IT today. Frankly, I still don't feel great about using a 3 prong laptop without the 3rd prong.
Originally Posted by ScottC
Yes and no. You'll be fine without the grounding, just expect the possibility of some "hum" from your speakers. Of course, I wouldn't run anything off one of those adapters that is safer with grounding (like a kettle or deep fryer), but that isn't what they are made for anyway.
Mar 18, 2006 | 3:02 pm
#7
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Originally Posted by MisterNice
I rarely see a laptop with a 3 prong plug. Heck, many dont even use a polarized plug either.
MisterNice
MisterNice
I just want to make sure I don't fry it in the first year. I know that the electricity can be a bit erratic where I'm going to be using (hence the UPS).
Mar 18, 2006 | 3:40 pm
#8
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Originally Posted by Peetah
Yes, the 3rd prong is for grounding. Your laptop won't suffer but it might hum.
You need one of these:
http://www.110220volts.com/Merchant2...gnPlugAdapters
I order from them all the time and they're pretty fast about fulfilling your order.
You need one of these:
http://www.110220volts.com/Merchant2...gnPlugAdapters
I order from them all the time and they're pretty fast about fulfilling your order.