What the heck does that third prong on a Western Hemisphere power plug do (the “ground”) if it isn’t necessary for all electronics?

Question

Hell, I’ve even seen people rip them off to fit 3 prong plugs into 2 prong extension cords. I’m sure it’s not safe, but I dont know why and why they would be necessary sometimes and sometimes not.

In: Engineering

Answer 1

Double insulated is the answer, if it’s not double insulated the exposed metal parts of the appliance need to earthed, the earth/ground prong should never be cut off if it’s there it needs to be there