Ground sticking out of plug

[matvoz]

Good evening. I just acquired an early 1950's dewalt radial arm saw. My question is about the plug. The plug is two pronged, but has a ground wire sticking out of the side. It looks like you are supposed to 'plug' the ground in first and then the plug. Does anyone have experience with this? Also, my father in law recommended cutting the plug off and just installing a new plug with a ground. Does anyone know if there is a ground wire upstream of the plug?

thanks

Matt

 

[The Cobbler]

from the days when outlets weren't grounded . they provided a ground wire to connect to earth.
yes, I would cut it off & put a grounded plug on there... or , if you want to keep the cord for nostalgia, replace it up to the switch

 

[matvoz]

Thank you for the quick reply. I actually got the saw from my uncle who has had it for close to 70 years. There is some sentimental value in the plug, I plan to do something with it, not sure what.

Thanks again.

Matt

 

[wyliesdiesels]

If you must keep the cord and plug for nostalgia just buy a replacement three wire cord and plug and be done with it

 

[Norcal]

If you must keep the cord and plug for nostalgia just buy a replacement three wire cord and plug and be done with it

Good advice, 70 year old cord has outlived it's usefulness.

 

[nadogail]

Back in the day, some Navy equipment came with plugs that had a Ground Prong you could move to the side to allow the plug to be inserted into a two slot receptacle.

Those are as "up to date as knob and tube wiring", truly you have an Electrical Antique on your hands.

 

[Meursault74]

didn't those ground wires connect to the screw holding the face plate and ground that way before there were 3 prong outlets?

I remember seeing an adapter for 3 prong to 2 prong with a wire instead of the metal ring.

Found one here. My memory is still reasonable.

3 to 2 Wire Grounding Adaptor (320G)

- 3 to 2 Wire Grounding Adaptor///brand_for_product_detail=CEP,close_out=No,companydescription=CEP - Imported,condition=New,condition_google=new,cost=0.300000,countrymade=Imported,featured=0,identifier_exists=0,instock=in stock,listprice=0.70,manufacture_country=Imported /...

www.harryepstein.com

But, yeah, if you're going to use the saw and it has a metal body I'd put in a modern cord.

 

[AntonLargiader]

didn't those ground wires connect to the screw holding the face plate and ground that way before there were 3 prong outlets?

Absolutely! I remember them well. I can say with authority that no one I know EVER connected it.

 

[mike93lx]

Thank you for the quick reply. I actually got the saw from my uncle who has had it for close to 70 years. There is some sentimental value in the plug, I plan to do something with it, not sure what.

Thanks again.

Matt

Sentimental value in a plug?

 

[Innovate1]

Back in the day, some Navy equipment came with plugs that had a Ground Prong you could move to the side to allow the plug to be inserted into a two slot receptacle.

Those are as "up to date as knob and tube wiring", truly you have an Electrical Antique on your hands.

That must have been a very long time ago. Nothing like that when I was in (1976-1982). I do remember the cheesy safety video "The deadly shipmate" in which sailors did stupid things like drilling through the bulkhead into a conduit on the other side and got electrocuted.

 

[Thorold]

from the days when outlets weren't grounded . they provided a ground wire to connect to earth.
yes, I would cut it off & put a grounded plug on there... or , if you want to keep the cord for nostalgia, replace it up to the switch

And it gave you false sense of security. You would put that under the screw that holds the plate on which also probably wasn't grounded.

 

[Norcal]

didn't those ground wires connect to the screw holding the face plate and ground that way before there were 3 prong outlets?

I remember seeing an adapter for 3 prong to 2 prong with a wire instead of the metal ring.

Found one here. My memory is still reasonable.

3 to 2 Wire Grounding Adaptor (320G)

- 3 to 2 Wire Grounding Adaptor///brand_for_product_detail=CEP,close_out=No,companydescription=CEP - Imported,condition=New,condition_google=new,cost=0.300000,countrymade=Imported,featured=0,identifier_exists=0,instock=in stock,listprice=0.70,manufacture_country=Imported /...

www.harryepstein.com

But, yeah, if you're going to use the saw and it has a metal body I'd put in a modern cord.

The reason you do not see them anymore is the pigtail end could under the wrong circumstances find it's way into one of the receptacle slots and if it was the hot side, energizing the frame of whatever is plugged into the adapter.

 

[Metal-Marc]

Sentimental value in a plug?

It's a thing.

 

[Meursault74]

Sentimental value in a plug?

It's a thing.

Sure is. Different plug, but sentimental, nonetheless.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/post-your-wtf-pictures.56771/post-9847591

 

[matvoz]

Sentimental value in a plug?

I agree having sentimental value in a plug is a little over the top. But, I get over sentimental about family items (I am confident my kids will throw it all away when I am gone).

In this instance, the ground wire had a pin (I don't know if that is the right term) instead of a spade at the end.

Thank you all for the replies, again, this forum is a true wealth of knowledge.

 

[BreeStephany]

When it comes to tools or equipment that are not double insulated or have metal components exposed that could potentially become energized, a means of ensuring a proper ground between the metal parts and the grounding system must exist.

If its a tool you only plan on using on a DIY basis or in your own home or shop, just cut the existing cord end off and replace it with a proper grounding plug / cord end.

If you plan on using the tool / equipment on a job site, plan on letting employees use the tool, etc., or if the cord is already damaged, I suggest replacing the entire cord / whip with a 'factory-molded' plug / cord end that is properly rated for the amperage of the equipment / tool.

I highly suggest whips with SOOW cords and recommend staying away from SJ (service junior) type cords, as the outer jack insulation on SJ cords is thinner than SO (extra hard service). SOOW cord is water / oil resistant cord. I have seen that over time / repeated use of SJ-type cords, the conductors within the cord will twist within the jacket, causing the jacket and/or conductor insulation to prematurely fail.

Just my two cents.