Expect issues resulting from no ground?

[allen_in_texas]

I live in an old house and the electrical outlets do not have a ground plug. I got a $1 converter from Home Depot that effectively ignores the ground pin so I can physically plug my three-pin surge protector into the wall. I've had no problems powering my computer this way, but I'm about to get turntable, preamp, amp, CD, and FM receiver system and I'm wondering if I should expect any complications.

A side note: A year before I moved into this house I ripped the ground pin off my laptop's power supply because it was causing severe electrical noise when I'd plug my powered studio monitors into the headphone jack.

 

[slipperybidness]

I live in an old house and the electrical outlets do not have a ground plug. I got a $1 converter from Home Depot that effectively ignores the ground pin so I can physically plug my three-pin surge protector into the wall. I've had no problems powering my computer this way, but I'm about to get turntable, preamp, amp, CD, and FM receiver system and I'm wondering if I should expect any complications.

A side note: A year before I moved into this house I ripped the ground pin off my laptop's power supply because it was causing severe electrical noise when I'd plug my powered studio monitors into the headphone jack.

In general, when dealing with audio, ground connections tend to cause problems more than fix problems. Grounding is a safety device. Not having a ground or defeating a ground is defeating a safety device, and that is never recommended.

Personally, if I am using an ungrounded connection, then I usually insert a GFCI to at least give some level of protection (though possibly not as good as a true ground).

 

[Speedskater]

Inside the home, the Ground connection is for human safety and fire safety. The Ground is there to trip the circuit breaker if something goes wrong. As above, a reasonable safety measure is a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter). They are now available as duel receptacles in a smaller package, to fit inside old outlet wall boxes.

As I often write, the ground rod in Mother Earth has nothing to do with audio system sound, it is there for thunder storm safety.

 

[slipperybidness]

Inside the home, the Ground connection is for human safety and fire safety. The Ground is there to trip the circuit breaker if something goes wrong. As above, a reasonable safety measure is a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter). They are now available as duel receptacles in a smaller package, to fit inside old outlet wall boxes.

As I often write, the ground rod in Mother Earth has nothing to do with audio system sound, it is there for thunder storm safety.

+1

I just re-read the post and see he plans to use a TT. For TT setup, you will want to ground the TT lug to the grounding lug or chassis on the pre-amp. Otherwise, you will most likely get a hum.

Again, this is different from the safety ground that your older house lacks.

 

[Rickster71]

One problem is that old non-grounded receptacles aren't polarized.
Polarized plugs are needed to control how the appliance is energized. Appliances that have an on / off switch must have a polarized plug.
Along with an on/off switch that's connected to the hot wire, so that the electronic devices are not energized while the switch is off. If the plug is reversible, the appliance will still function properly, but the components will be energized, even when the switch is off.
A foreign object or insect could cause a short circuit, even with the switch off, if the polarity is reversed.


It's very common to see older non-grounded outlets wired incorrectly. What will happen is that a polarized plug won't fit, or it will have to be forced into the receptacle, possibly damaging it. The polarization could be wrong. So you'd have to remove the wall plate and check to see that when you insert the plug the wide blade is neutral (white), and the narrow blade is hot (black). Even if you use a cheater plug, the polarization could be wrong.

As for other problems: I've seen electronic exercise bikes and stair stepper machines control panels not work because of the lack of a ground.
So you'll have to try each piece of equipment and see how it goes.

In the long run, I'd suggest having the entire service upgraded to a properly grounded system.

If a toaster is plugged in backwards it could possibly un-toast the bread, turning it into dough.

 

[lsiberian]

I suggest you consider getting the house rewired by a competent professional. Electricity can kill you. I know it's not cheap, but I don't play games with electricity.

 

[slipperybidness]

I suggest you consider getting the house rewired by a competent professional. Electricity can kill you. I know it's not cheap, but I don't play games with electricity.

While this is the answer to the problem, it might be a rental property and out of his control.