Dear Internet,

[marisolita]

What do I do with a grounding wire on an old outlet?

Comments

[oneautumnday]

Last time, didn't we wrap it around the screw??

[marisolita]

True, but there was also a hole in the plate for that. Do I use the screw outside the plate, and have wire ends hanging out on the plastic or the screws underneath the plate, but then where does the wire come out? Ah, new apartment trouble.

[hyperiate]

I agree in that I would wrap it around the screw. If you have access to the breaker and can shut off the power, go ahead and put it underneath. If you don't have access, it's much safer just to leave it on the outside. Poking around a live switch calls for more skill than can be gotten over the intarwebs.

Good luck!

TB

[marisolita]

Conveniently, I got my boyfriend to turn on the breaker (as it's over my head), so I can get him to shut it off and then play pretend electrician. But good thinking reminding me to do that before I went fiddling, thanks!

[chaosdefrost]

I've not really paid attention to Japanese power sockets, is this screw thing common in the US too? UK plugs have a third "earth" point which I presume does the same job.

I don't want to be attacked by The Electric, mum!

[marisolita]

Exactly the same - the grounding point is included in a three-prong plug. Not sure why we're still messing around with screws and wires and stuff here, O land of advanced technology!