The large metro area of NOVA, DC, and Maryland is home to many older homes and unique architecture. You can find a wide array of housing styles in the area, some of which have two-prong outlets in the walls. These are outlets that don’t have a grounding port. Far from being quaint and nostalgic, these outlets actually present a real electrical hazard in many residences in our area.
Technology has evolved with the ground in mind. This means most modern devices rely on being grounded. Your home’s infrastructure needs to evolve with the times. Kolb Electric can help. First, we want to explain a little more about these outlets and the importance of updating your electrical system.
What Is an Ungrounded Outlet?
An ungrounded outlet is an older, outdated style of electrical socket that lacks a third ground wire. They’re very easy to identify; they simply have two vertical slots and no hole under them. Homeowners favored ungrounded outlets when most appliances were low-powered televisions and toasters. Today, however, electronics typically draw much more power.
The two-wire system was fine for its time. You have a hot wire, and you have a neutral. That’s exactly what you have now, only with a third grounding wire. The hot wire delivers electricity to the device, while the neutral carries it back, completing a circuit. If something goes wrong, however, there’s no secondary path for the electricity to travel on. For most homes built before 1960 with these ungrounded outlets, safety is the primary concern.
Why Grounding Matters for Electrical Safety
People who have lived with these two-pronged outlets may be asking, “Why does it matter?” Well, lightning not yet striking does not mean lightning will never strike. Electrical currents seek the path of least resistance to the ground. Any fault in an electrical appliance, like a loose wire, leaves electricity with nowhere to go. In a grounded system, which is typically grounded to a metal rod, that current safely diverts to the “earth,” so to speak. Without this, the current just travels around inside the device, seeking another path.
That current can ruin your devices, blow fuses, and even wreak havoc on your electrical panel if it makes its way there. The grounding wire helps prevent this from happening. Voltage levels stabilize, preventing fluctuations. Many people try to create a workaround where they plug an adapter into a two-pronged outlet. Since we’re talking about ungrounded outlets, safety is still a concern here because the outlet itself isn’t grounded. This leads to a higher likelihood of structural damage.
Are Ungrounded Outlets Safe to Use?
Ungrounded outlets are not considered safe by modern standards. They may work for many homeowners who have them, but these homeowners are actually living at constant risk. Today’s electronics are high-powered machines compared to the simplistic devices of the early to mid 1900s. Home electrical standards have also changed.
First and foremost is the risk of electric shock. If a device plugged into an ungrounded outlet develops a short circuit, the metal casing of that device could shock you. In this instance, your body is the path of least resistance. You effectively become the ground. Also consider that ungrounded outlets are one of the main causes of electrical fires in old homes. Arcing and overheating are very common in two-prong outlets.
Common Signs Your Home Has Ungrounded Outlets
To know if your home has two-pronged outlets, it takes more than a visual inspection. Yes, you can clearly see the difference in outlets. However, the issue is that some people update old electrical outlets with three-prong outlets, but the ground is never hooked up. Essentially, you’re using a two-pronged outlet that just happens to have three prongs. The box itself has to be grounded for home electrical safety.
There are signs of this beyond the visual, and they include:
- Frequent electrical shocks from appliances
- Flickering or dimming lights
- Burning smells near wall sockets
- Discolored or charred outlet faceplates
- Sparking when plugging in devices
- Loose-fitting plugs that fall out easily
- Intermittent power to specific rooms
Electrical Codes for Homes in MD & DC
In Maryland, NOVA, and Washington, DC, electrical work must adhere to the National Electrical Code (NEC). Two-prong outlets are simply relics of the past, not fit for modern home electrical safety. The code mandates the use of grounded outlets everywhere and GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) outlets anywhere water is present. This gives you an extra layer of protection against electrical hazards.
When it comes to existing homes, an outlet upgrade for your home is often mandatory if you are performing any major electrical work. If you’re selling your home, you will also have to update old electrical outlets to meet standard codes. Not only is this smart for safety, but it’s going to increase your home’s value. Appraisers and buyers aren’t going to put much value on an unsafe electrical system.
When Should You Update Old Electrical Outlets?
It is time to update old electrical outlets the moment you realize your home’s wiring is out of date. If you are using adapters to fit three-prong plugs into two-prong sockets, you’re bypassing the ground and putting your devices and home at risk. The good news is that this update isn’t as intrusive as you think. At Kolb Electric, we use modern tools and methods and can update your old electrical system without destroying the drywall. We also conduct thorough electrical code inspections to ensure your home is safe. The reality here is that you need a ground wire for your electronics.
Make Your Home Safer with Outlet Rewiring from Kolb Electric
We take pride in being the go-to electrical contractor in Maryland, DC, and NOVA. Our team of licensed and trained technicians can provide prompt and professional solutions for all your electrical needs. We have been in business since 1925 and have a century’s worth of business experience under our belt. This means we have seen it all and have replaced it all.
Contact Kolb Electric today to schedule your service for an electrical outlet upgrade right away.
