Ungrounded power cord: Will I die?

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Purely a guess but I agree with the idea that the Japanese stuff comes with the standard 3 wire input jack to be just that; standard. Those who like to play with power cords would shy away if they couldn't do that.

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I lived in Japan for 9 years and was an audiophile at that time, so I purchased several Japanese components, all of which had two prong plugs. I did not understand why at the time but reading this thread taught me the differences, so thanks to all who helped me get less dumb.
I am wondering about the question around the amp IEC having three prongs on some of the Japanese stuff though. I'm wondering if a power chord with a three prong plug is used with these components would the ground plug be functional? As someone said the Japanese electronics are built with plastic or coated to avoid the need for a ground in the chassis, but I wonder if the female plug on the back has any ground function, or if it is simply there to allow use of aftermarket cords. One might gain a false sense of security if they attached a grounded cord to an amp that had a non-functional ground.

For years now I have used a grounded powercord w/my tube amps & used an ungrounded cord (cheap but very effective Volex cord w/the grounding pin cut off) on my CDP. The CDP is still grounded thru the interconnects to the amp & provides quieter better sound.

I personnaly would not float ground for equipment designed to be grounded, especially very expensive equipment. Why take a chance? I may take a chance for a cheap CD player, receiver, or anything else you will not cry about later should it go up in smoke.But, tube amps, tube preamps, any SS device worth a few bucks, phono stages, and phono stages are in my opinion not worth experimenting with to test AC issues or theories.

Ciao,
Audioquest4life

Yes, you will very likely die. In 1987, my cousin burst into flames when he plugged in his ungrounded Technics TR19 tape deck. The manual clearly warned the user about this, but he was one of those "I don't need the manual" types. Don't become a statistic, and use caution whatever you do.

I guess even if the amp is safe to use with an ungrounded cord, they might put a 3-prong inlet for use with all of the other aftermarket power cords out there.

So the moral of the story is: It depends on the device. Stick to what it came with.

"If it came with a three prong plug then safety standards dictate it should be there"

OK, so since my amp came with a two prong plug it should be safe to use with the amp even though the amp has a 3 prong inlet?

One could go technical with requirements (double insulation, clearances, leakage currents etc), but why?
Take Herman's sound advice "If it came with a three prong plug then safety standards dictate it should be there"
Logical and simple.

You can play with ICs, speaker cables etc. but this (safety) has to be done by the book.

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Kijanki is correct on all points. Elizabeth, as usual, gives incomplete and/or bad advice.

Eugene, I really can't say how equipment designed for the Japanese market is configured, but the use of a ground connection (3rd prong) to a metal case is inherently safer than one without. I remember growing up in the 60's before 3 prong plugs and ground faults were common and we would get shocked when we touched the metal washing machine in the basement while standing barefoot on the concrete floor. My dad had an electric drill with a 2 prong cord and a metal case and you could get shocked if you touched it and something grounded like a water pipe.

That doesn't happen these days with better designs and better safety standards that involve plastic cases and/or grounded outlets. Using a cheater plug to defeat the ground can be dangerous. Note I said "can be". The problem for those who do it is they usually have no idea when that is.

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You will die in 3 days Rip !!

"Typical stereo electronics will (probably) not kill you if somehow a short develops to ground."

It is not short to ground but short to case, that we worry about and we (probably) don't want to be killed.

"The real exception is tubed electronics, and Color tube TVs. Both carry fatal voltages inside, and should be treated with respect.

Any 110V device carry fatal voltage inside and should be treated with respect.

"And no one does not have to be worried about items with only a two prong plug."

You have to be worried if equipment was designed to be used with three prong plug. Two prong plug devices are designed differently (plastic case or metal case separated by plastic inside). Converting device designed to work with ground prong (isolation class I) using cheater plugs is unwise and dangerous. Recommending it to others is even worse.

Herman, my Japanese amp came with this power cord that has a two prong male end and three prong female end. Since it was manufactured this way does that mean the cord is safe? Japanese household electricity is only 2 prong. Is there something about their electrical grid that is inherently more safe so that household devices don't require a ground plug? Is there something about Japanese electronics that make them more safe? Also, why the heck does a Japanese amp have a three prong female end when they don't have any three prong outlets? I know mine was converted for American 120V, but pictures of Japanese 100V show the same IEC plugs. There are lots of American devices other than wall warts that use 2 prong plugs that aren't necessarily plastic. A floor lamp comes to mind. If it is so hazardous to use an ungrounded power cord then why isn't it required for ALL electrical devices in the US?

Anyway, a 5V output DAC PSU doesn't strike me as a high powered device so I think I will just take the risk.

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The danger is getting shocked, not bursting into flames.

Wall warts and many other devices have plastic cases so even if the case contacts the line voltage you can't get shocked so they don't need the ground.

If it came with a three prong plug then safety standards dictate it should be there.

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