Bloc heater question.

[sadisticsam16]

Hey guys, so I have a block heater installed and dumbass me drove of with it plugged in the other day. The ground on the plug came off. Is it still safe to use or should I get a new wire and change it?

Thanks!

[jra]

You should have a hot and neutral-flat blades on plug, and ground is the round one. Heater should work without the ground, but you could get shocked, If something happened to heater causing it to electrifier car body ground wire should cause breaker to trip preventing you from getting a jolt when you grab the door handle to get in car. If you use it without the ground, always unplug heater from wall outlet before touching car.

[sadisticsam16]

Oh thanks, I will get a new plug tip as soon as possible anyways to change it. Wouldn't want to get shocked.

[tmontague]

^this

you'll be fine if you or anyone else doesn't touch your car while its plugged in with power to it. That said, this is only an issue in the case of a short and that isn't highly likely to happen. It is only 120v so the chance of it killing you is very unlikely...240v is a different story...

[Bluevitz-rs]

You won't get shocked unless the heating element inside the block heater shorts out and electrifies the block. Only reason the ground is there is to ensure that there's a path to ground in case of a short.

[sadisticsam16]

And what are the chances of that happening?

[Bluevitz-rs]

Next to non.

But if you're really concerned just wire in a new plug from Home Depot.

[dogsridewith]

Regardless your level of fear or concern, install a new plug with as many terminals as the one torn off.

[KimmoKekki]

+1

[sadisticsam16]

Yeah I'll just install a new plug tip on the weekend. Thanks for all the answers everyone! Happy holidays.