Plugging PC's into Ungrounded Outlets

[Yellowhello]

Hi guys,

We just moved to a new house (same town, just a bigger house a few blocks up) and there is a problem. None of the outlets have a plug for the ground wire! I can use an adapter to physically fit the plugs for the computer into the socket, but is it okay for the computer to run without a ground being plugged in?

Thanks,
Nate

[Jokerswild]

I've been running mine in a house built in 1897 with no ground wires anywhere since 1998 and haven't lost anything yet and we also have frequent power outages because of thunder storms. I use a power strip with a built in circuit breaker.

[gamerfreak]

Is it safe as long as there is no lightning involved?

From what I gathered from talking to people, your hard drive builds up static electricity as it is a moving part. This static is grounded to the PSU and if it has no place to dump that energy, it can dump it back in and possibly damage your components.

Is there any truth to this? Almost all the outlets in my house are not grounded so I am at a bit of a loss. I'm going to try and install a grounded receptacle within the next few weeks, but is it even safe to run my system in the meantime?

The whole conversation I had freaked me out a bit as I just dumped a bit of money into this system.

[Yellowhello]

So there's no chance of my computer suddenly shorting out or something? I'm sure there's a reason they made the computer with a ground wire plug...

[Yellowhello]

That is the exact same question I have... I just started a thread on the same issue.

[gamerfreak]

Originally Posted by yellowhello

I have the exact same question I have... I just started a thread on the same issue.

reread that :-P

[Yellowhello]

Originally Posted by gamerfreak

reread that :-P

LOL, Sorry, I just fixed it...

[Jokerswild]

I can't guarantee anything but I've had no problems. You will definitely need a circuit breaker of some kind though. UL approved of course.

[Lead Head]

I had a problem with my old PC and ungrounded outlets. Aparently the PSU used the casing as a common ground for everything. And if it was plugged into an ungrounded outlet, the whole case became electrified at around 30-50 volts. I would try to keep it grounded if possible, but I don't think newer PSUs have a problem like my old one.

[Jokerswild]

I've hear that if you run a wire to a water pipe in your house from the sockets ground that will ground the outlet but i don't know if thats true. Has to be a metal pipe anyway. If your really uncomfortable with it then talk to an electrician.