Hi,
I'd like to buy an iMac but the room I want to use it in has only 2 prong ungrounded outlets. The house is from the 1950s. What can I do to be able to use the computer safely? I imagine I'm not the first person to want to use a mac in an old house.
What country are you in?
In the UK that would be illegal!
Go to a hardware store and purchase a 3-prong to 2-prong adaptor. Many come with a grounding wire that can be attached to the screw on the outlet plate.
If none of the electrical circuit of the house is gounded (has an earthed connection) that won't help.
There must be a ground somewhere. The house was built in the 50s. At the least code then would have mandated armored cable if it did not mandate conduit.
How can I check to see if the outlet plate screw is grounded or not?
Remove screw, remove cover, see if there is a metal box and see if the lines in and out of the box are metal armored cable or wires in conduit.
A word of caution:
If you not entirely comfortable checking or adapting electrical installations or cursuits, call in a qualified electrician to do the job for you.
iMac and ungrounded outlets
