Safety is a crucial topic when discussing electricity. As a result, it isn’t unusual to see electricians discussing this regularly.

There are several reasons for this. For example, electricity, by nature, is volatile. While modern technology has harnessed it, virtually any type of misuse can result in serious dangers, fires, the possibility of property loss, and even potential fatalities. Unfortunately, the misuse of electricity is actually more common than many people realize.

One of the common complications you will encounter relates to ungrounded electrical outlets.

What Is an Underground Outlet?

There’s a good chance you have seen all types of ungrounded outlets without even realizing it. In the standard home setup with outlets that are safe, you will see a three-prong configuration. Two of the openings are longer and are seen running up and down, and the last one creates a circle and is located under the first two. It’s the small opening at the bottom that is most important. This is what makes an outlet grounded.

If something goes wrong with an outlet, such as transient charge (i.e., overload), the grounding wire on the appliance would send this charge “to ground” or to the grounding wire. In this case, the charge is shrugged off by the outlet and sent away without causing harm.

If an outlet is ungrounded, (i.e., has a two-prong configuration) where the grounding isn’t present, an overload has nowhere to go except to the closest current – this usually means the actual appliance, an organic object nearby (i.e. your hand), or your home atmosphere, which may cause a fire.

In the mid-1960s, ungrounded outlets were considered the standard option and they were found in virtually every home. However, since they were unable to handle the ongoing growth of home electrical needs, and they created a dangerous hazard, they were phased out, replaced with the grounded outlets described above.

Is it Difficult to Replace Ungrounded Outlets?

From the point of view of an electrician, it’s pretty simple to replace an ungrounded outlet, as long as the wiring in your home is in good condition. However, make sure you hire a professional electrician to handle this replacement. That’s because it requires direct contact with wiring that is possibly dangerous. While this is dangerous, the entire replacement service can be handled in a relatively short period of time by the pros.

Is it Time to Upgrade Your Outlets?

If you have ungrounded outlets present in your home, now is the time to invest in upgrade and replacement services. A professional electrician can make short work of this replacement and safeguard your home from dangers and potential hazards.

Don’t ignore the benefits of hiring a professional electrician to handle the issues related to your electrical system. Doing so will help ensure your home and system are safe from any potential electrical hazards. Being informed is the best way to keep your home and family safe, regardless of the current electrical hazards.  For help in the Kansas City area, contact Fusion Electric today!