People Are Adding Deadly Hacks to Outlets

Summary by Krater

The video explains what a bootleg ground is, why some home outlets fake a ground connection, the severe electrical shock risks involved, and how to safely fix or identify them.

From the video

Answers: What is a bootleg ground and how do I fix it?

• bootleg ground
• reverse polarity bootleg ground
• outlet testing
• GFCI outlets for ungrounded circuits
• National Electrical Code

What it concludes

• Standard cheap outlet testers cannot detect a bootleg ground because they are fooled by a jumper between the neutral and ground wires.
• A bootleg ground creates a low impedance live voltage on grounded parts, greatly increasing shock and electrocution risks.
• Reverse polarity bootleg grounds are even more dangerous because the hot wire is connected to the neutral and ground at all times.
• Homes built in the 1940s through 1970s are most likely to have ungrounded two-prong outlets or bootleg grounds.
• Replacing an ungrounded outlet with a two-prong outlet or a properly labeled GFCI outlet are safe and code-compliant fixes.