Electrical question

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cellardweller

cellardweller

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I'm attempting to establish my second cellardwelling "studio", despite the chaos that is life.

I'm currently dealing with antiquated electrical service~fuses and limited outlets in the basement.

I've run an extension cord up the stairs to a three prong outlet.

This extension cord goes to my Furman PlII, which then feeds my amp/computer/dmp3/drum machine/nearfields/etc. all depend upon this one tap.

Which raises (at least) two questions:
  1. Would I be better off using a two prong outlet in the immediate vicinity and jury-rigging a ground to the conduit?
  2. I assume to eliminate potential voltage difference/noise, all the above should be dependent upon a single outlet/source?
 
Big giant fuck-head strikes again.


Your best bet would be to find an electrician (maybe someone at work) to wire you up a grounded outlet. If everything is in conduit, it won't be that hard and it will cost less than $15 plus beer.
 
In order to be properly grounded, a 3-prong outlet needs a continuous ground back to the panel.

And your panel needs to be properly grounded as well.

Scabbing a ground onto a cold water pipe in the bathroom or some other dubious ground can be deadly.

It is well worth the $$$ to have your system inspected and upgraded by a knowledgable electrician. One good surge into an improperly grounded and bonded system can fry all your appliances at one shot.
 
TheBigGiantHead said:
How 'bout you just move out of mom's basement.
Click to expand...
Go back to Romper Romm, and leave the real conversation to the adults. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Notice the rolleyes? That means you are cool as dogpoo..... :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

CD, be careful with the power stuff. As C7 mentions, it could be much more costly to have an accident, than to just fix it up right. I won't mess with power myself, cuz I aint all that smart. :D
 
TheBigGiantHeadJob said:
How 'bout you just move out of mom's basement.
Click to expand...
How about you move your head so I can scratch my nuts? No no, not up and down like you have been, like out of the way.



Oh yes, the subject at hand~
Jury rigging a ground to an electrical conduit would, in essence, be the same as jury rigging it to a water pipe/etc.?

As to the inspection/upgrading, I'm afraid that isn't financially feasible and won't be for some time. All my extra pennies are going to a savings account to get me out of a bad living arrangement.
I have to make do for now, hence my question.

Thanks for all replies, except for bigGiantHeadJob.
 
$.02

if not THE last at least one ofthem is to rig a saftey to the conduit... it's aluminum in most cases and has higher resistance and invites grnd loop problems.....YMMV
 
There should be ONE ground source/reference in the house and it should be developed at the breaker panel. Wet water pipes "can" be used to augment the ground system depending upon the area and local codes but should not be used as the primary source. Again, there should be only one ground point to the electrical system in your house.

An extra ground source is an invitation to ground loops or worse yet, dangerous current. Don't do it. If you're running extension cords, use three prong cables, get a decent power strip. Your best bet is to contact an electrician an put in a legit circuit. BTW...depending on where you're located, a ground fault circuit should be seriously considered...especially if there's even a remote chance the basement could get wet (pipes bursting or leaking).
 
Wow, they finally banned that pathetic fuck.
Anyway, what i did while i was remodeling my basement, to still have power, was run a 12-2 ( 2 wires and a ground) gauge romax from a new separate 20 amp breaker to a gang box with 4 recepticals, till I get the electrical done. If your prone to dampness, yeah GFI. What really sucks now is the price of wire.
 
if it is a metal outlet box, with metal conduit, a standard 3-2prong adapter could be used if properly screwed to the outlet (to get its ground).. this could then be tested to see if it actually grounds (with one of those little plug in testers $10).. even if its not solid metal conduit it could be flexible conduit in the wall which would also work... of course it could just be 2 wire or ole knob and tube... (which wont work)
running the wire to the box probably wont work too well for ya... fuse boxes usually dont have any extra spaces... and if youre asking this question you probably dont want to be sticking your screwdriver into a main supply box (ouch) ..
The plumbing thing is also bad... the problem is that if something goes wrong, the power can easily feed though the neutral wire and "electrify" all metal pipe attached faucets/sinks in the house .. wicked hairstyling!!

three prong heavy guage extension cord isnt too bad (for temp).. but the outlets upstairs, even though they have three prongs might not be grounded ?!

Electricians are expensive though and wire just became ungodly!! 250' = $110 !! (it was only $20 4 yrs ago)

anyway,
gl
 
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