Question

Your U.S.-based company has recently purchased an old office building where employees are being assigned to work. As you are setting up the employees' desktop computers, you come to one location where the nearest wall outlet has only two prongs. All of the metal-enclosed desktop computers have three-prong cords.Which of the following is the BEST way to proceed with that particular desktop computer?A. Get a new power cord with two prongs to match the wall outlet.B. Purchase an adapter that converts the three-prong cable to two prongs.C. Find a different outlet that uses three prongs.D. Use the existing cord, but remove the grounding prong, as it is not required.

Answer 1

To safely connect a three-prong computer cord to a two-prong outlet, one should find a properly grounded three-hole outlet or have a qualified electrician install one. Using an adapter or modifying the cord is not advisable as it compromises safety.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best way to proceed when faced with a two-prong outlet for a three-prong computer cord is not to modify the existing cord or to purchase a new cord that lacks the ground connection. Instead, it's important to maintain electrical safety and integrity of the equipment. The correct course of action would be:

1. Find a different outlet that accommodates a three-prong plug, ensuring that the earth/ground connection is available to protect against electrical shock and to ensure that the circuit breaker will trip in the event of an insulation failure.
2. If no such outlet is available, have a qualified electrician install a new three-hole outlet that is properly grounded and can safely accommodate the three-prong cord. This is to comply with electrical codes and to maintain safety standards.
3. Using an adapter that converts a three-prong cable to two prongs can be a temporary solution, but it should be noted that this method may not provide the necessary grounding. This makes it less safe than having a proper three-hole outlet installed.

Removing the grounding prong or using an ungrounded power cord could not only breach safety protocols but also put equipment and users at risk of severe shock. Hence, such practices should be avoided.

Answer 2

Answer is C. Find a different outlet that uses three prongs.

Refer below.

Step-by-step explanation:

Your U.S.-based company has recently purchased an old office building where employees are being assigned to work. As you are setting up the employees' desktop computers, you come to one location where the nearest wall outlet has only two prongs. All of the metal-enclosed desktop computers have three-prong cords. The following is the BEST way to proceed with that particular desktop computer:

Find a different outlet that uses three prongs.