[Hallicrafters] Adding 3 prong plug the right way

[Gerry Steffens]

It has been correctly stated, the neutral and ground may only be tied
together or bonded at the entrance panel.  One of the effects of other
ground/neutral ties is that if there are any GFI (ground fault interrupters)
in the electric system, all sorts of things will/may not work.

However, another word of caution.  If insistent upon installing a three wire
power cord on transformerless devices, don't assume the outlet is wired
properly.  One must not rely on the electric code alone.  ANY and ALL
outlets to which the newly corded device is to be connected should be
inspected to be certain that hot and neutral are indeed where they should
be.  This modification creates a permanent legal obligation if the radio is
sold, so I am told by my friendly, expensive lawyer.  I brought home an
S-38E (converted to 3 wire) to a house constructed in 1991.  I forgot my own
rule.  I messed up a number of things because the house was not wired
correctly.

I am an electrical engineer working in the electric utility business.  In
one of my previous employer's own buildings (an electric utility), the power
connections were not correct when a device that had been "made safe" with a
three wire power cord was plugged in.

I will spare you the details but it wasn't pretty and included some
significant equipment damage to computers/radios/other electronic devices.

All of my AC/DC radios have been inspected to see that the isolation,
insulation hardware is in good condition, properly installed and then left
that way.  The last time I had any problem was in 1962 as a kid, putting a
Heath HD-11 Q multiplier (OK for AC/DC radios because it had its own
transformer power supply) and a Hallicrafters S-meter kit, that was
specifically stated "not for AC/DC radios", on the S-38E.  I made it work
but not without a shocking weld before I got it right.

Its getting late, I hope this says what I mean it to.

Cheers,

Gerry


Gerald Steffens P.E.

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