three prong light, 2 prong timer
- Thread starter Kappa
- Start date
burtonblunt86
Active Member
they make 3 to 2 prong adapters. if the extension cord works with the timer and light then it shouldn't be a problem. but i grabbed a couple of those adapters at a hardware store for like $3 each
la9
Well-Known Member
WAIT, save your money, here is what I did with those cheap timers, I got the drill out and measured where the ground prong was supposed to be and drilled a hole in the spot. Then it plugs in just like it normally would. IF you don't know how to be careful or just want to be sure you can take it apart and see how much clearence you have inside, the ones I have had plenty of room not to interfer with the drill bit and even more room for the plug.
Give it a try.
Give it a try.
dazed but not confused
Active Member
I am not an expert cultivator, but I am an electrician... The third prong has a reason. It will work without it, but now your system is not grounded. depending on how much power your running (say for instance anything with a ballast) it might be a good idea to just find a three prong timer. The ground leg (or the third prong) is there so that if there ever was a short in your wiring, or your "hot" wire ever became exposed. instead of the shock transfering to anyone who might touch something connected to the shorted wire, it jumps to your ground instead, assuming correct electrical setup. I know it might make the light work, but in the interest of safety I wouldn't do it personally.
drinkinsig151
Active Member
Yea dazed is right, the ground is there for protection. if you cut it off or just stick it inside the timer this can cause a fire if something ever go's wrong. I bought a 3 prong heavy amp a/c timer from Home Depot for $11.00 it's worth the safety bro... I never worry when I am at work, if something goes wrong the breaker is kicked.....
la9
Well-Known Member
In the interest of safety it was OK to run 2 prongs for around 30 years or so, therefore I don't think it is really a big deal, just something they came up with in the last 15 years or so. If it was really terrible they would have outlawed those 3 - 2 prong adapters a long time ago.
Like you said it is just an extra backup in case the neutral wire happened to break, and that happens how often ? You are an electrician so how many times have you saw a problem with a neutral that wasn't because someone wired it wrong ?
If he has a GFCI circuit it still wouldn't matter.
It's up to him but I don't think it is a big serious safety hazard that anyone should even be worried about.
dazed but not confused
Active Member
Your right la9, thirty years ago grounding was not required by code. It will work as long as you've got a hot and a neutral wired correctly. However, you never know what may happen. electrical fires do happen, even if they don't happen to you...better to be safe than sorry. The ground is simply a safety measure... and for my money, $11.00 for a three prong timer is worth it.
i do feel a lot better about it, no chance of a fire 
dazed but not confused
Active Member
Good deal, don't take any risks that you don't have too
Eharmony420
Well-Known Member
i just go with what is ever in any kind of packaging. I was an electrician, maybe this just means less to work to my lazy mind, as far as I see it when buying anything electrical instead of diy. hehe.
dazed but not confused
Active Member
Yeah, when you factor in the price of lights and the overall setup, 10 bucks is minimal