Electrical Question

[anothertorres]

I purchased a Whirlpool microwave and it came with a ground wire attached. Where (on earth) should I attach this wire?

Thanks in advance!

[Crossy]

If your microwave already has a 3 pin plug that fits in your sockets then you can simply remove the ground wire

If it has a different plug and you have 3 pin outlets you can either get a plug adaptor (look here http://www.crossy.co.uk/wiring/plugs.html) or replace the existing plug with a local 3 pin. In this case again just remove the dangly wire.

OR

If you don't have grounded outlets you should get a ground rod from your local electrical emporium, bash it into the ground and connect your green wire to it

EDIT Fixed the link.

Edited August 23, 2008 by Crossy

[longball53098]

My 2 year old Whirlpool came with the Schuko type of plug on the rather thick cord and as said a "dangly green/yellow earth wire also.

I have 3 wire earthed sockets so buying the Schuko adapter solves the issue and just coiled up the earth wire if I move to where it might be needed.

My guess is whirlpool is providing alternative means to earth the appliance as their booket recommends earthing the appliance.

[anothertorres]

fantastic. thank you both very much!

[JetsetBkk]

My 2 year old Whirlpool came with the Schuko type of plug on the rather thick cord and as said a "dangly green/yellow earth wire also.

I have 3 wire earthed sockets so buying the Schuko adapter solves the issue and just coiled up the earth wire if I move to where it might be needed.

My guess is whirlpool is providing alternative means to earth the appliance as their booket recommends earthing the appliance.

My Samsung washing machine came with a Schuko plug on it too. I did find an adapter to ensure a good earth connection, but it looked a bit "Heath Robinson", so didn't use it.

I checked the sockets and they do have a good earth wire attached inside so I cut the Schuko off the cable and put a "normal" 3 pin plug on it. It looks neater than using the adapter.

I also attached the dangly green/yellow earth wire to another "normal" 3 pin plug and plugged that into another socket.

[longball53098]

My 2 year old Whirlpool came with the Schuko type of plug on the rather thick cord and as said a "dangly green/yellow earth wire also.

I have 3 wire earthed sockets so buying the Schuko adapter solves the issue and just coiled up the earth wire if I move to where it might be needed.

My guess is whirlpool is providing alternative means to earth the appliance as their booket recommends earthing the appliance.

My Samsung washing machine came with a Schuko plug on it too. I did find an adapter to ensure a good earth connection, but it looked a bit "Heath Robinson", so didn't use it.

I checked the sockets and they do have a good earth wire attached inside so I cut the Schuko off the cable and put a "normal" 3 pin plug on it. It looks neater than using the adapter.

I also attached the dangly green/yellow earth wire to another "normal" 3 pin plug and plugged that into another socket.

If you installed a "normal" 3 pin plug and you have earthed sockets why do you feel the need to attach the wire also?

[JetsetBkk]

My 2 year old Whirlpool came with the Schuko type of plug on the rather thick cord and as said a "dangly green/yellow earth wire also.

I have 3 wire earthed sockets so buying the Schuko adapter solves the issue and just coiled up the earth wire if I move to where it might be needed.

My guess is whirlpool is providing alternative means to earth the appliance as their booket recommends earthing the appliance.

My Samsung washing machine came with a Schuko plug on it too. I did find an adapter to ensure a good earth connection, but it looked a bit "Heath Robinson", so didn't use it.

I checked the sockets and they do have a good earth wire attached inside so I cut the Schuko off the cable and put a "normal" 3 pin plug on it. It looks neater than using the adapter.

I also attached the dangly green/yellow earth wire to another "normal" 3 pin plug and plugged that into another socket.

If you installed a "normal" 3 pin plug and you have earthed sockets why do you feel the need to attach the wire also?

I was 99% sure that the earth in the mains cable was good enough, but there was a spare socket right there and I had the extra plug....

At that time I didn't realise that the additional floating earth wire was provided by the washing machine manufacturer for use where the electrical socket did not contain an earth connection. I'm not sure I would bother to do it that way again. Maybe, maybe not. Hasip, hasip.

But, since washing machines are always wet, and I'm a belt-and-braces sort of person, I probably will.