Posted by Svetaswan-2 on
URL: https://www.es-forum.com/Electrical-appliances-and-grounding-tp3309893.html

Hi,

It's not difficult to notice that many electronics and electrical appliances that are sold today come with 2-prong power cords (ungrounded) - as opposed to the 3-pronged cords that have a prong that connects to "ground".  Even some relatively-large, major electronics - like TVs, and VCR-DVD combo players - are manufactured with 2-pronged cords.  Why are so many electronics manufacturers opting for the 2-pronged power cords over 3-pronged cords?  Is it simply a matter of cost-cutting?

Are there reasons other than cost-related ones why manufacturers would opt for the 2-prong power cord?  Are there actually any benefits to having a 2-prong cord?

I recently bought this VCR-DVD-recorder combo that - unfortunately - I often feel when it's in operation (or when it's simply powered on).  Back in the "good old days" - I would have 2 VCRs in my room at the same time (and one of those VCRs was a dual-deck one) with no obvious problems - so I didn't really anticipate that this VCR-DVD player would give me symptoms.  And I noticed, despite it being a relatively-large device (by today's standards) that I guess uses a fair amount of power - it has a 2-pronged power cord.  I'm wondering if figuring out some way to "ground" this device would make a difference.  

But I don't want to do anything to harm or shorten the lifespan of these devices.  Would "grounding" a device that isn't "supposed" to be grounded (that wasn't manufactured with a grounded cord) be harmful?

Thanks,

~Svetaswan