Window AC unit with Grounded Plug Adapter?

Question

I want to put in a window AC unit (small, 5,300 BTU) but only have a 2 prong (non-grounded) outlet. How dangerous would it be to use one of the 3 to 2 prong adapters (that wouldn't be grounded)?? I'm renting and it's an older house and would be too much cost/trouble to try and redo that outlet. Thanks!

Answer 1

Just attach the ground wire to the out side of the A/C units frame and no it will not shock you.

Answer 2

The danger is that you could receive a shock if there is a ground fault. The chance of this happening is small.

Redoing the outlet won't help. You'd have to redo the wiring that goes to the outlet.

Regarding the idea of running a ground wire from the metal frame. The poster meant the metal frame of the AC unit. The wire would be on the outside of the house, not running from the outlet. You would loosen one of the screws that holds the metal covering on the AC unit, loop the wire around that and then make solid contact between the wire and the ground. If you are paranoid about it, this isn't a bad solution.

Go with the three to two prong adapter.

Answer 3

EASY Method:

1) Get a three prong grounding adapter with a green wire extending from the adapter.  

2) Attach the green wire to the center s***w that secures the face plate to the outlet.  (The outlet is grounded to the box, and you are tying into that ground.)

3) Plug the adapter into the outlet.  (If you have a circuit tester, confirm that the ground is working.)  

4) Plug in the Air Conditioner.  

5) Turn on AC.

6) If you think you did it right, sit back and enjoy the cool.  

If you think you messed up, sit back and watch for smoke.

Answer 4

You could run a dedicated ground wire directly to the metal frame.

I would suggest drilling a small hole in window frame for the wire, and digging a hole outside to accommodate an old metal object  ( old metal bucket ) with the bare ground wire bolted on.   bury the object and staple the wire to the wood and continue to the AC

There are special hardened rods available for hammering into the ground near the house, they have a connection point on top for joining up the wire,    be careful you don't rupture a gas line, water inlet, or underground power supply.

Answer 5

As small as the A/C is the use of the adapter should do just fine. Just compare the amp or wattage rating and if they are equal go for it! It is most likely less than 15 Amps and should work just fine.

Answer 6

first, test to see if you have a grounded cable going to the electrical box.  if it's 2 prong, then depending on when it was done, they could have used bx cable which has a metal shield and will provide this ground to the box in the wall, or they could have used a 2 wire w/o ground romex, in which case the bucket and wire methode is easiest.  to find out if you have a grounted box, get an electrical tester from a hardware store.  these sometimes look like screwdrivers with a wire coming off the side.  they lightup when you have a 120 v circuit.  (ask the guy at the hardware stoor how to use it.)

1. take the faceplate off of the outlet.

2. put one probe of the tester in one hole of the outlet, and the other in the other hole.  this should light your lite.

3. now put one probe in the smaller hole of the outlet (this is the hot side) and the other probe on the metal electrical box.  if it lights then you have a grounded box (and probably bx cable).

4. if you got no light in step 3, then just to make sure the outlet isn't wired backwards, put the probe that was in the small hole into the large hole, and the other on the metal box.  if you get a light then yay you have a grounted box,  but oops, they wired the outlet wrong.  

5. if you have a grounded box, then for about a buck you can get a self grounding 3 prong outlet and install that and life will be good.