power supply for 2 prong outlet?

[nivram07]

Hi there. I recently moved to a new apartment and I didn't know that my room only has two prong outlets. They have the three to two prong adapters but I don't think they are grounded.

So here's what happens: I have a customized rig that has 1000W power supply. I tried plugging my pc to one of those 3 prong adapters but what my pc does is that it turns on a couple of seconds then die suddenly (after turning it on). So it never boots up to Windows.

Is this an outlet problem? Because right now, grounding the outlets is not an option because the owner is pretty strict about the rules.
Last time I checked, my rig works perfectly fine at my previous place.

This is the first time I encounter this type of problem. The two prong outlets (with 3 prong adapters) work perfectly fine with my other devices such as laptop and ps3.

Is there any alternative power supply I can use that works on a two prong outlet?
Thanks in advance.

Marvin

 

[Harvey]

DANGER WILL ROBINSON! GO BACK! IT'S A TRAP!

There's a reason all current building codes require the third lug (ground). It's a safety issue because it provides a separate path to ground for intererence and more dangerous extraneous currents such as high power RF and lightning strikes which can smoke your computer in no time and can occur anywhere along the power transmission line and be carried into your system. The bigger the power supply, the more important a good ground return path is.

Even without the major hazards, your system will be more vulnerable to various failures, including random reboots, noise and artifacts in your audio and video and more.

If you can't get your building management to provide safe, legal power, if you have any metal plumbing near your electrical outlet, you could fashion a decent substitute using a power strip with three wire plugs, using a three to two prong adapter, and connecting the third lug to the metal pipe. If your plumbing is PVC, you'd be SOL.

 

[nivram07]

Can I just use this with the 3 pron to 2 prong adapter?

http://www.amazon.com/TRC-90033-Shoc...productDetails

 

[Harvey]

Can I just use this with the 3 pron to 2 prong adapter?

http://www.amazon.com/TRC-90033-Shoc...productDetails

The pic doesn't show that it adapts a three prong plug to a two prong socket, and the text says nothing about doing that. Beyond that, I have no idea what it's supposed to do.

Note the circular brass contact on this three prong to two prong adapter.

If the building uses steel conduit or three wire Romex (with the ground wire connected), and the wall box containing the plug is steel, you can run the screw holding the wall plate cover through the loop to ground the third lug.

 

[nivram07]

I have a similar adapter. the metal bar is connected to the middle screw of the outlet. I have pictures but i don't know how to upload them here in the forums.

 

[Harvey]

I have a similar adapter. the metal bar is connected to the middle screw of the outlet. I have pictures but i don't know how to upload them here in the forums.

The pic has to be online, not on your own drive. This icon

at the top of the posting window will bring up the tool to add the url for an image to your posts.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I would demand that they fix the outlets. It's crazy there are places that refuse to update to current code,I'm not talking about the silly codes like how a kitchen needs 2 20 amp circuits, but the important ones, like proper wire sizing and need for earth ground.

If that really can't be done, I would make an adapter using a GFCI outlet, something like this:




If there is any leakage current through the ground pin, it will trip the outlet.

I actually use that for Christmas stuff, since timers only have 2 prongs and I usually plug all the lights in a power bar, and all of those are 2 prong anyway but the power bar is not.

 

[nivram07]

i guess i have to try that gfci thing. Red squirrel, did u buy that thing or u made that urself?

Harvey, i don't have them online so i can't upload them:\

 

[Harvey]

Lots of GCFI recepticles at Home Depot.

No need to worry about posting another pic if your adapter is similar to the one in the pic I posted.

 

[Red Squirrel]

i guess i have to try that gfci thing. Red squirrel, did u buy that thing or u made that urself?

Harvey, i don't have them online so i can't upload them:\

I made it, basically extension cord wire, plug end, wiring box, outlet and plate. Black to hot at both ends, and white to neutral at both ends. Neutral is the thicker blade.

For more permanent use, I'd also build a small wood frame around it so it can sit nicely on the floor.

 

[nivram07]

Thank you guys for your help. I'll see if I can make one like Red Squirrel's gfci outlet.

 

[oynaz]

DANGER WILL ROBINSON! GO BACK! IT'S A TRAP!

If you can't get your building management to provide safe, legal power, if you have any metal plumbing near your electrical outlet, you could fashion a decent substitute using a power strip with three wire plugs, using a three to two prong adapter, and connecting the third lug to the metal pipe. If your plumbing is PVC, you'd be SOL.

If a serious failure happened to occur, that would potentially kill any neighbours who happened to be touching their plumbing at the same time, wouldn't it?

 

[imagoon]

If a serious failure happened to occur, that would potentially kill any neighbours who happened to be touching their plumbing at the same time, wouldn't it?

Eelctricity takes the easiest path. In the case of metal pipes buried in the earth to the supply, it generally wins. Don't get me wrong, if you were holding the pipe you would feel that power jump through it on the way to ground.