Outlet is "Open Ground" - Is There Still a Safe Way to Connect to My Audio Gear?


So typically from a wall power outlet runs a very short Nordost Power Cable to Nordost's Qb8 "power strip," and then a loom of Nordost Power Cables to my vinyl audio set up  All the Nordost cables were bought used and sound great.  Having just moved and set up everything in a new room, the nearest power outlet is "Open Ground"(!)  Without moving everything around to fit the main Power Cable length to a "Grounded" outlet, please is there a safe and best sounding way to still use this outlet to power everything?  Thanks! :-)

 

 

vinylfun

Showing 1 response by gs5556

I assume that the receptacle is standard 3-prong and "Open Ground" was read from a plug in outlet tester.

What you can do is remove the outlet and check the ground connections. Sometimes the grounding wire is wrapped around a screw on the box and not to the receptacle and the installer assumed the ears of the outlets would make a good enough ground contact with the box. Although not likely, this can defeat the ground over the years. What is more likely is if there is an insulator between the ears and the receptacle. Then simply remove the insulation. If that grounding conductor is long enough then you can attach it to the green screw of the outlet -- the right way of doing it. If there is not enough wire then an electrician should be called for giving you options if you really need to use that outlet.