Electrical Outlets Question

[chet everett]

The OP ain't buying the place -- if an overloaded fuse panel triggers enough calls to the landlord maybe eventually the stuff will get upgraded.

[rparz]

It works best if he blows circuits that take out the TV outlet in the Landlord's unit.

[sketch125]

I believe the landlord is not required to update the outlets and wiring until the wall is opened up. Once it is exposed, than it must be retrofitted.

The thought of knob and tube wiring can seem unnerving but do remember that Chicago has had the toughest electrical standards in the country (outside of NYC) so it is entirely possible that the wiring done decades ago could still have been in conduit.

If it is a conduit application, than the ground adapters previously noted will give you a ground back to the panel if everything (covers, boxes, conduits) is bonded correctly. If so your appliances will have some protection; However if not, you may loose your tv with a voltage surge or imbalanace that can't drain to ground.

[rparz]

Originally Posted by sketch125

I believe the landlord is not required to update the outlets and wiring until the wall is opened up. Once it is exposed, than it must be retrofitted.

The thought of knob and tube wiring can seem unnerving but do remember that Chicago has had the toughest electrical standards in the country (outside of NYC) so it is entirely possible that the wiring done decades ago could still have been in conduit.

If it is a conduit application, than the ground adapters previously noted will give you a ground back to the panel if everything (covers, boxes, conduits) is bonded correctly. If so your appliances will have some protection; However if not, you may loose your tv with a voltage surge or imbalanace that can't drain to ground.

Yes, install one of these:
Amazon.com: Satco 90-806 Two prong to Three Prong Polarized Electrical Outlet Adaptor: Electronics

And check it with one of these:
ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE TESTER AC OUTLET PLUG 3 PRONG GND - Amazon.com



There's nothing we can do about blowing (or overloading) the antiquated circuits, other than rewiring or running extension cords around.