kiwigander: @kiwifidget 24/10/2016 08hxx

 

How do you know if you are grounded or not? Mentally or otherwise :)

 

If the power point admits two blades only, it is not grounded. Standard in pre-WW2 "knob-and-tube" wiring.

If the power point is in a modern (say 1960s or later) home, it should admit two blades and a round pin, and it's grounded.

If the power point admits two blades and a round pin, but it's a one-off in an old house with mostly ungrounded power points, you can't be sure. (Personal experience: discovered that the only "grounded" power point in one old house, which the landlady advised me was for the electric lawnmower, had been installed illegally on a knob-and-tube circuit and was not grounded.)

I'd also add: If the power point admits two blades and a round pin in any house, old or new, don't rely on it being grounded. If there's a smell of something burning or a flash of blue light when you unplug something, or your plug catches fire, or you are thrown across the room, then its highly likely the plug wasn't grounded. I say these from personal experience 😉 

Houses aren't necessarily wired by an electrician. An electrician isn't necessarily a master electrician (which means, he has had training - anyone can call themselves an electrician or contractor, but not a master). It's perfectly legal to build, wire, plumb, and otherwise cobble together houses and very few regulations to worry about. 

To answer your question: hotels should be fine. Newer motels should be fine. Older motels, even if refurbished, may not be. Housing is a gamble. We spent $20 on a tester and use that to check.