goran@erix.UUCP (Goeran Baage) (04/24/85)
I just uppacked my new Mac and was somewhat set back by all the "IMPORTANT, this thing must be connected to a grounded outlet"-- warnings. Unfortunately we only have grounded outlets in the kitchen, bathroom and cellar, places not ideal for this purpose (the kitchen is nice, but there was also a warning about coffee etc). Do I have to install more grounded outlets or are there other alternatives (like ignoring the warning). Goeran Baage
wca@ut-ngp.UUCP (William C. Anderson) (04/26/85)
I'd say that a grounded outlet is important. Perhaps this is not directly related, but recently, during a thunderstorm, a power surge caused the breakers to "blow" in my office. The power surge was enough to kill the clock circuit in my Mac (which I was using at the time). Since I don't really use the alarm clock DA all that much, I didn't see the problem until I noticed (the next day) that all of the files I had been working on had a timestamp of January 20, 1904 :-). Perhaps the CMOS circuit of which the clock is a part is more sensitive to voltage spikes than is the rest of the Mac, since everything else was OK. Cheers, and watch out for lightning, Willie "What a coincidence! I was just thinking about Liza Minelli's orthopedic hosiery!! Now we *have* to get married!!" - Zippy the Pinhead
stro@ur-univax.UUCP (04/26/85)
Yes! Grounding is very important! A small electrical surge, caused by lightning, breakers blowing or whatever, can cause minor to serious damage if your mac is not grounded. Aside from running a very long extension cord from the nearest grounded outlet, there is another alternative. If you are not electrically inclined, ask someone who is or an electrical to do the following: Buy an electrical outlet with a ground. Check the nearest cold water pipe in the house to see if it is grounded to the main electrical ground for the house (which it should be)*. Then, using a wire clamp, attach a wire from that pipe to the ground connection on the new outlet, and then remove a convienent old outlet from you room or whatever and hook up the new one, with the ground wire attached. Voila. *note: if the pipe is not electrically grounded, it should be, consult an electrican to do a proper job. Big note: If none of this seems comprehensible, don't try it yourself. If you do do it youself, be sure to turn off the circuit breakers, or pull the fuses for the outlet you will be working on. -SR @ the U of R
stro@ur-univax.UUCP (04/26/85)
Yes! Grounding is very important! A small electrical surge, caused by lightning, breakers blowing or whatever, can cause minor to serious damage if your mac is not grounded. Aside from running a very long extension cord from the nearest grounded outlet, there is another alternative. If you are not electrically inclined, ask someone who is or an electrician to do the following: Buy an electrical outlet with a ground. Check the nearest cold water pipe in the house to see if it is grounded to the main electrical ground for the house (which it should be)*. Then, using a wire clamp, attach a wire from that pipe to the ground connection on the new outlet, and then remove a convienent old outlet from you room or whatever and hook up the new one, with the ground wire attached. Voila. *note: if the pipe is not electrically grounded, it should be, consult an electrican to do a proper job. Big note: If none of this seems comprehensible, don't try it yourself. If you do do it youself, be sure to turn off the circuit breakers, or pull the fuses for the outlet you will be working on. -SR @ the U of R ie: don't ignore the warning, you'll save money, time, and anguish in the long run...
mlf@panda.UUCP (Matt L. Fichtenbaum) (05/01/85)
[The referenced (ugh) article described how to install a grounded outlet.] I think you missed the fact that the original poster of the "must I have a grounded outlet" question was in Sweden. Assumptions about the U.S. electrical code do not apply. In particular, Sweden is strict about doing things in accordance with the code, and having only officially-qualified professionals installing permanent electrical wiring. Improper wiring can be grounds (heh heh) for one's insurance company refusing to pay for fire damages, if it can be shown there's a connection (heh) with the cause of a fire. Answers: 1. A grounded outlet is important, because the Mac instructions are full of warnings about static-sensitive devices inside the Mac, and you need to provide a good path for static electricity. 2. Use the machine near a grounded outlet, or provide a legally approved outlet for it. -- Matt Fichtenbaum "Our job is to rescue fires, not put out your cat."
cb@hlwpc.UUCP (Carl Blesch) (05/06/85)
I believe some devices are designed so they won't work unless they are plugged into a properly grounded outlet. Case in point -- I tried to plug one of my department's floating portable terminals into a non-grounded outlet (using one of those "cheat-plugs" with the pigtail), and the thing wouldn't turn on. However, when I took it elsewhere and plugged it into a grounded outlet, it hummed away like it is supposed to. (The terminal, by the way, was a TI Silent 700 Model 745). I wonder if the terminal is designed to send a short pulse thru the ground wire when you turn on the switch, and if that pulse doesn't make it to ground, the logic circuitry tells the terminal not to turn itself on? (Please -- no one ask if the ungrounded outlet worked at all -- it did work, and so did the cheat plug. I used both with other appliances with no problem). Sorry for the digression -- I know this is net.micro.mac! --Carl Blesch