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July 14, 2006
Change 2 prong outlet to 3?
In our new place, the outlet nearest the air conditioner is an old 2 prong outlet, so it looks like I will have to get an adapter to plug in my AC (which has a 3 prong cord). I am thinking of replacing the outlet with a new 3 prong outlet. There are already some 3 prong outlets in my place, and in that room as well so I figure the wiring must already be OK for that. Is this a big job for an electrician? What should it cost me? Can someone recommend a decent electrician who can do this for me in Park Slope?
Thanks
Comments
I would bet it's going to be hard to get an electrician for such a small simple job. all you have to do is turn the breaker off and replace the outlit with a 3 prong. The extra prong is a ground.
Posted by: Rick at July 14, 2006 10:40 AM
Unless you have a 110 v 220. Better check!
Posted by: Anonymous at July 14, 2006 1:35 PM
be careful ... even if you change it, you may blow the circuit because you don't have enough amps there. In that case, you'll need to run a new circuit to that location. You can check if it's a 15amp circuit, in which case it will only support A/C's below about 1200 watts, and only if no other lights/gadgets are on that circuit. Ideally for a window A/C you want a dedicated 20 amp circuit.
A while back I used Allectra electric for a small job, and they were fine.
Posted by: OE at July 14, 2006 9:41 PM
The code is a dedicated circuit for an A/C. If there is an apartment in the house each window needs a dedicated outlet in case the tenant puts an A/C there. Your two prong outlet is probaby old which tells me it is probably connected to other fixtures and outlets. You should run a new circuit for the A/C. Unless when you pullout the outlet and the bx is new, then it may be a dedicated circuit. You will probably need an electrician to be safe
Posted by: TomPLG at July 15, 2006 3:04 AM
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