Rheostat question

[kansasjeffff]

Hello, I am just about done with my new tank set up and received a new rheostat 500 deluxe in the mail. It has a double outlet, but neither has a 3 prong hole outlet on it. The new undertank pad i received has a 3 prong plug, is it ok to get a 3 prong adapter to get them to match up ?? As soon as I get it all set up I will try to upload some pictures, have a digital camera so I am hoping it's not too difficult. Thanks

[BD1]

Yep, you should be fine with one of those adapters, I think they are usually grey. I use one to connect my heat cable to the thermostat and it works fine. Good luck.

[moespeaking]

Its not recommended from an electrical point of view If it has a ground it should be grounded.

[modfrogg]

From an electrition point of view a ground is just a safty thing it is not needed for a device to work I am requeird to tell my clients that is is not safe but I do use the adpters

[kavmon]

grounds are safeties! prevents you or the animal from being shocked if something goes wrong! always better to be grounded, period.


on the adapters you can run a ground wire from the adapter to the nearest outlet.


"electrician"



vaughn

[PythonWallace]

Ground shmound. You'll be fine. Just don't quote me on this. I have about 8 of those gray adapters in use throughout my condo. Not a single shock or fire yet. I also make my own rheostats from the $8 dimmer switches and $0.99 extention cords. I just cut the green wire off.

[jotay]

grounds are safeties! prevents you or the animal from being shocked if something goes wrong! always better to be grounded, period.


on the adapters you can run a ground wire from the adapter to the nearest outlet.


"electrician"



vaughn

Sound words of advice!

[jotay]

Ground shmound. You'll be fine. Just don't quote me on this. I have about 8 of those gray adapters in use throughout my condo. Not a single shock or fire yet. I also make my own rheostats from the $8 dimmer switches and $0.99 extention cords. I just cut the green wire off.

I love the "don't quote me on this "
I think the key word here is YET.

They make these things w/ 3 prong plugs for a reason.
Reminds me of the old days when people would put a penny in the fuse box.

Just run a ground wire to the outlet and then you can have peace of mind.

[kavmon]

jotay, penny, 1/2" copper pipe, butter knife in the meter base!:eek:

sometimes it's not just about what will work, you could stick a coat hanger in the outlet and get "juice". doesn't make it a good idea!

imo, there is no good reason to risk safety, when dealing with living animals and live electrical circuits.


vaughn

[KeithTN]

I'm with the others guys on this. If it has a 3 prongs, then it needs to be plugged into a 3 pronged recepticle. It probably wouldn't be a bad idea if the wall recepticle was a GFCI also. There's also another type of recepticle out now days for surge suppression. I think they are TVSS recepticles. I need to do a little code research to refresh my memory on what the correct name is. I haven't installed any of these yet. I mostly work in an industrial enviroment.


BTW, LLE here also