Robert Neville wrote:
"hr(bob) " wrote:

On Nov 16, 10:31=A0am, wrote:
I have some power equipment that needs a new cord.
The current cord has only 2 prongs.
Can I buy a 3 prong power cord and just attach the ground to the case
of the power tool? =A0Is this what the 3rd prong does?
Would this make is safer?

Does a GFCI also work on a power tool with just 2 prongs?

Thanks
Bonnie
Yes and Yes

IIRC, most power tools with two prog plugs are double insulated. That means
grounding the case doesn't buy you much.

If the insulation FAILS for any reason, it doesn't matter whether it
was originally single, double, triple insulated...
So, grounding should make THIS tool safer.
But
Having another place to put your hand on ground may not
make the SHOP safer.
Bottom line, safety is a SYSTEM problem.

mike wrote:

IIRC, most power tools with two prog plugs are double insulated.
That means grounding the case doesn't buy you much.

If the insulation FAILS for any reason, it doesn't matter whether it
was originally single, double, triple insulated...
So, grounding should make THIS tool safer.
But
Having another place to put your hand on ground may not
make the SHOP safer.
Bottom line, safety is a SYSTEM problem.

So you OPEN the tool and MODIFY the tool's electrical safety system. Not
only does the warranty go "poof" but your heirs will play hell collecting
from the tool's manufacturer.

A double-insulated tool with a two-prong connector will be UL certified.
It's a tad presumptuous to think of improving on UL's standards.

On Nov 17, 8:25*am, "HeyBub" wrote:
mike wrote:

IIRC, most power tools with two prog plugs are double insulated.
That means grounding the case doesn't buy you much.

If the insulation FAILS for any reason, it doesn't matter whether it
was originally single, double, triple insulated...
So, grounding should make THIS tool safer.
But
Having another place to put your hand on ground may not
make the SHOP safer.
Bottom line, safety is a SYSTEM problem.

So you OPEN the tool and MODIFY the tool's electrical safety system. Not
only does the warranty go "poof" but your heirs will play hell collecting
from the tool's manufacturer.

A double-insulated tool with a two-prong connector will be UL certified.
It's a tad presumptuous to think of improving on UL's standards.

-- Not only does the warranty go "poof" --

The OP said "I have some power equipment that needs a new cord."

I may be going out on a limb here, but I'm thinking that if the tool
needs a new cord, and the OP is planning on replacing it herself, then
the warranty is not at issue here.