Does a bootleg grounded outlet hurt your computer.

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Sort by date Sort by votes
Not completely sure what you call a "bootleg grounded outlet". Not installed up to code?
An inexpensive way to check for a properly wired outlet is to use a simple outlet tester. It willtell you if the outlet is properly wired and grounded.

But as to using a non-grounded outlet, yes... it can have undesirable effects on the PC. And you should have a good quality surge protector between the outlet and PC anyway.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Bootleg ground

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bootleg_ground

I get from this site https://www.ecmweb.com/contractor/failures-outlet-testing-exposed

Those three light cubes don't work..

I used a non contact voltage tester, and on our outdoor outlets, it only beeps when inserted in the hot slot, but the house ones beep in close proximity to the outlet, and one outlet in the house don't beep at all even if you inserted the tip in the hot slot ,but the light and phone work in it.

That is why I,m wondering if there miss wired and we can,t detect it,will it destroy your computer, I,m aware it is dangerous.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Actually, those testers I linked to work quite well. We've used them for years. Never a false positive or any other mis-read. Following up with a VOM meter is of course a better idea. But I didn't think you wanted to go out and buy a $100 (or more) Fluke.

I knew about those "bootleg grounds", but we never used that term. So it didn't register when I saw the word.

Why not just take the receptacle out of the box and check it out? Then you'd know.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Yeah, today you need a $100 just to get started in the Fluke Club. But they're high quality, dependable, and they last a lifetime. Mine's so raunchy and dirty from being on industrial sites, I almost need gloves just to touch it...lol. Just had it calibrated again. Nothing needed adjustment!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Clutchc, actually I do have one of those testers. It says some of the in house ones are open ground .One outlet is upside down and it says hot neutral reversed. Then one in bed room is lit in the middle ,open, ground but also the 2 lights on each side of it are somewhat lighted fluttering, my mother said that one sparked when she unplugged vacuum and won't use it anymore.
I'm not qualified to mess with any more the the testers I used. My cousin could but I ,don't know if my parent will put the money in to it. My uncle put an update breaker box and ground outside, and it was inspected, but I don't think they looked at the outlets.
The reason I wondering if any wiring can do something to a computer, is because I'm chemically sensitive ,get asthma around every computer I've built. They always smell. One smelled acrid. Another like strong plastic back by processor. I,ve switched out power supplies and fans. Used a temp infared thermometer on power connectors. Ran my computer at friends for a month. Still couldn't be around it. Weird thing is. I've been around some computers that shops or friends built,and they didn't bother me. One was low end, one high end. Could'nt smell nothing strong. Don't know exact run time on theres but one wasn't to long. So I'm wondering if our power can do any, but the computer still work. Our output is 120 and point digit flutautes a few digits. All my motherboards have been from Newegg on rebates. Are rebated parts the same quality as full priced?

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
We've been having some problems that seem worse, when the swamp cooler comes on, the outside light on the pole goes off. I believe it is a mecury light, one of those large ones on a pole to light your property. Now it has been going out when, the frigerator freezer kicks on. We also have some slight dimming , blinking of bedroom light when microwave is running. I,m the original posted , I just noticed. I have more than one name. I sign in with Facebook when I didn't know my password.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0 Downvote
Ya it does, and my mother is the owner and worries. She affraid of fire. I asked her, when was this house built, and she said I think in the 50s. The outlets couldn't have been updated right, because there are 3 prong outlets that show open ground and one that is upside down and says reversed with the tester. Some are grounded according to the yellow tester and some aren't.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom