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Stupid question about power cables ...

I feel like an idiot for asking this, but I don't know the answer ... maybe I'm not as smart as I think I am :-)

Anyway, I'm planning on making power cords for a few different components. Some components only have two prongs, other have 3. Question is, can I make a 3 prong cable and use it for the 2 prong components? I assume if I did, that the 3rd prong just woudn't plug into the component on the female end and all would be fine.

I'd rather just make all cables with 3 prong male and female connectors for simplicity, if it won't hurt anything.
turbofc3s
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I have used many three conductor power cords on gear that has two pronged EIC with no ill effects. I have had many more problems using two conductor, ungrounded power cords (hum...).

Member Subaruguru used to sell his "ErnieM" power cord kits with a nifty external ground wire connector that could be either connected or disconnected to enable or disable the ground wire. That's a cool feature you might consider. I have not seen him post his kits in a long while, but I'm sure he'd help you out if you sent him an email through the Audiogon system.
eldarado
381 posts
 
It won't hurt anything.
jwpstayman
279 posts
 
Turbo - the "right" way to do this is to use a 3 pronged wall plug and only connect the hot and neutral wires to the plug. That way you don't have ground connected at the wall, but not at the iec. It will ONLY be a 2 conductor cable that way. Have FUN!
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