reaching safety through the use of adequate equipment is a ...

This text refers to items 36 through 50.

Coming changes in electrical outlets and plugs

1Do you ever pay attention to the plug when buying

appliances? From now on, you will have to. Based

on INMETRO’s regulations, a new law already in effect makes

4 grounding mandatory. Therefore, three-prong plugs will

become commonplace, giving extra work to consumers as

early as this year.

7 The third prong provides a path to ground along

which the electric current travels. Electrical outlets will also

have three-wire receptacles that accommodate electrical

10 cords with three-prong plugs. Most major appliances, such as

stoves, refrigerators, and computers, have three-prong plugs,

meaning that they are grounded. Most older homes do not

13 have three-wire receptacles. If yours does not, you should

have an electrician rewire the home to accommodate the

three-prong plugs. Although three-prong adapters (called

16 cheater plugs) can be purchased, they are not recommended

for permanent use. Also remember never to clip the third

prong off a plug to make it fit a two-hole outlet.

19 The idea behind grounding is to protect the people

who use metal encased appliances from electric shock.

The casing is connected directly to the ground prong. Thus,

22 INMETRO’s concern is solely with safety. People touching

a refrigerator, for instance, will not get any potentially fatal

shocks.

25 Changes will have been introduced gradually by

2009, so as not to cause a profound impact on the population.

Electrical outlets will already be available with the third

28 receptacle. However, this will be useless unless it is

grounded. By law, new constructions must have grounding.

As of 2010, all appliances which need the third

prong will already include it. Not all outlets need to be

31 modified. Only those which will accommodate three-prong

plugs such as those for washing machines. Old appliances

34 with round pins will continue to operate normally.

With this initiative, INMETRO expects to solve

existing problems with electrical outlets. At present, there are

37 around twelve different types on the market. It is not

uncommon to try to push the plug into an outlet without

being completely successful. If it is not totally pushed in, the

40 part that is left out becomes a great risk of accidents. With

the new standard plug such risk will be eliminated.

Appliances which will continue to operate with two-

43 prong plugs are televisions, DVDs, video games and

blenders. Those requiring the third prong are microwave

ovens, air conditioners, washing machines, and freezers.

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