Unless the path to the ground of the device, and then from there to actual ground, is shorter, then nothing will flow that way.
That’s not true. Electricity will take all available paths to return to ground, with current flow relative to the resistance present. In other words, two low resistance paths will share similar amounts of current when both are connected to power.
If you were touching anything connected to that ‘ground’ wire while also connected to a true ground yourself; you could receive a harmful shock from plugging this in, even with a breaker in-line and successfully tripping. A GFCI device should prevent that shock, but a regular breaker will not trip fast enough.
True actually. If this were the plug for a washing machine, and you were touching it and the tap for the water inlet, you would definitely get shocked still. Edit: The washing machine itself also wouldn’t generally have a connection to ground that way, as they usually use plastic hoses.
I’m not sure which of you is correct here but it’s fascinating how confidently people on the Internet will make statements. I’m sure one of you has earned that confidence but I’ll never know which one. Sadly, the other person should question their life choices pretty hard.
Unless I’m reading this thread incorrectly; I believe Norah was mistaken in the comment I replied to, but came around with my explanation.
The mindset of ‘electricity takes the path of least resistance’ is really quite common and was actually taught in my highschool; but it’s rather misunderstood, if not outright wrong.
That’s not true. Electricity will take all available paths to return to ground, with current flow relative to the resistance present. In other words, two low resistance paths will share similar amounts of current when both are connected to power.
If you were touching anything connected to that ‘ground’ wire while also connected to a true ground yourself; you could receive a harmful shock from plugging this in, even with a breaker in-line and successfully tripping. A GFCI device should prevent that shock, but a regular breaker will not trip fast enough.
True actually. If this were the plug for a washing machine, and you were touching it and the tap for the water inlet, you would definitely get shocked still. Edit: The washing machine itself also wouldn’t generally have a connection to ground that way, as they usually use plastic hoses.
I’m not sure which of you is correct here but it’s fascinating how confidently people on the Internet will make statements. I’m sure one of you has earned that confidence but I’ll never know which one. Sadly, the other person should question their life choices pretty hard.
Unless I’m reading this thread incorrectly; I believe Norah was mistaken in the comment I replied to, but came around with my explanation.
The mindset of ‘electricity takes the path of least resistance’ is really quite common and was actually taught in my highschool; but it’s rather misunderstood, if not outright wrong.