quick (semi off topic) question [solved]

[phantom16]

so nothing pertaining specifically to pclos, but more about my laptop (which runs pclos  )
in short, im going to germany, from the USA, my power adapter runs 120-240v, but i need the plug adapter, which i have. but im wondering if its ok to do this:

or should i definitely put a standard 3 prong to 2 prong adapter in between the 2 adapters? i know its a ground, just not sure how necessary

[AS]

It look a bit strange  ... but I think you should be fine, ground included, see Schuko, third from left:

http://www.adaptelec.com/index.php?main_page=document_general_info&products_id=154

[phantom16]

yea looks like it will fit, and even if i did use the "cheater plug" (i guess what the 3 to 2 prong adapters are called), since the metal tab wouldn't be connected to a screw/ground anyways, it wouldnt make a difference if i used it or not :-)
sounds good, i think ill pack one just in case because they take up like no room, but i wont plan on using it, unless their recessed plug tends to be worrisome. thanks :-)

[dougmack]

Germany uses grounded plugs, they just may not look that way.  If I remember correctly, there's a tab running down
each side of the round plug.  The plug goes into a recessed socket that has mating tabs for the ground. Hopefully
someone in Germany is reading this and will verify.  (My German is not quite good enough to write this in that language--sorry!)

--doug

[Rudge]

"Is the ground wire necessary?

The appliance will operate normally without the ground wire because it is not a part of the conducting path which supplies electricity to the appliance.

In fact, if the ground wire is broken or removed, you will normally not be able to tell the difference. But if high voltage has gotten in contact with the case, there may be a shock hazard.

In the absence of the ground wire, shock hazard conditions will often not cause the breaker to trip unless the circuit has a ground fault interrupter in it.

Part of the role of the ground wire is to force the breaker to trip by supplying a path to ground if a "hot" wire comes in contact with the metal case of the appliance."


What   

[Just17]

"Is the ground wire necessary?

The appliance will operate normally without the ground wire because it is not a part of the conducting path which supplies electricity to the appliance.

In fact, if the ground wire is broken or removed, you will normally not be able to tell the difference. But if high voltage has gotten in contact with the case, there may be a shock hazard.

In the absence of the ground wire, shock hazard conditions will often not cause the breaker to trip unless the circuit has a ground fault interrupter in it.

Part of the role of the ground wire is to force the breaker to trip by supplying a path to ground if a "hot" wire comes in contact with the metal case of the appliance."


What   

The current flowing in the 'live' and 'neutral' wires should be exactly the same if everything is OK.

If during a fault, current flows to ground/earth via another path, from the 'live' wire, then that amount will not flow back along the 'neutral' wire.

Now a monitoring device can detect the fault, because the current flowing in both live and neutral are different .......  and it will interrupt the power for safety.