3 ms·
You need the ground line too since the body of the unit is conductive and not insulated. Without a ground, you can short live to the body and have it still func
by throwanem 5y ago
You need the ground line too since the body of the unit is conductive and not insulated. Without a ground, you can short live to the body and have it still function in that hazardous state; with the body grounded, that short will pass current and trip the breaker.
- loonster 5y agoThat solves a different problem. The ground is only used if there is a short somewhere in the unit. (Potentially getting a shock from touching the toaster.) A polarized plug prevents the elements from being a live wire.
- throwanem 5y agoSure, a polarized plug and a ground mitigate different kinds of electrical hazard, but you do need both of them to mitigate all the electrical hazards that a metal-bodied kitchen appliance would otherwise present.
- mark-r 5y agoOne end of the element will be neutral and the other end will be hot. No way to avoid that, no matter how you change the plug - the voltage differential is how you get the current that generates heat.
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]