Using my cpap machine in an ungrounded outlet?

Hi, I recently moved into an apartment that is an older building and I have two pronged outlets in my bedroom. So assuming these outlets are ungrounded, I am a little concerned about my safety. I have a resmed air series 10 cpap machine and I was wondering if I could safely continue using it with these outlets? I rent so I wouldn't be able to do anything about the wiring. Thank you.

So you're concerned that there's no grounded outlet for a device that only has a two prong plug and wouldn't connect to the ground even if it were present? You might try asking the landlord about it, it sounds like it's not up to code and probably should be. Getting grounded outlets might be a simple as replacing the plug inside the box, or it could be as complicated and expensive as rewiring the whole place but how will you know unless you bring it up? If there's knob and tube in the walls personally I'd be looking for a new apartment.

monkeywaffles wrote:Hi, I recently moved into an apartment that is an older building and I have two pronged outlets in my bedroom. So assuming these outlets are ungrounded, I am a little concerned about my safety. I have a resmed air series 10 cpap machine and I was wondering if I could safely continue using it with these outlets? I rent so I wouldn't be able to do anything about the wiring. Thank you.

seriously? do you see a ground prong on the cpap plug?

The cpap machine has only two prongs on the plug, so it fits into the outlet just fine. I have three socket outlets in other rooms, just not in the bedroom. This apartment passed section 8 inspection but now I'm fearful given the responses so far.

E5BPV2 wrote:now I'm fearful given the responses so far.

you need to read those responses again
your cpap only needs a two prong outlet
you must be looking for a reason to stop using the cpap
but this aint it

palerider wrote:seriously? do you see a ground prong on the cpap plug?

E5BPV2 wrote:The cpap machine has only two prongs on the plug, so it fits into the outlet just fine. I have three socket outlets in other rooms, just not in the bedroom. This apartment passed section 8 inspection but now I'm fearful given the responses so far.

Which responses trigger the most fear? I have read through all of them and only one could possibly cause alarm: Amenite - " If there's knob and tube in the walls personally I'd be looking for a new apartment. "
That response is so specific and so unlikely as to be seen as the joke he intended it as (I think). If that really concerns you, find the breaker box and check if it has a ground buss that is connected. Just open the box and see if there is a lot of bare copper showing - it should all be gathered in a neat bundle into a solid bar with many holes filled with the wires. OTOH, if you do find "knob and tube" (typically cloth covered wire strung between ceramic insulators), break your lease citing unsafe wiring and move out - that is a fire waiting to happen.

Does the concept of double insulated confound you. are you planning on putting your XPAP in a metal case or just throwing it in the bathtub. Jim

JimW159 wrote:

E5BPV2 wrote:The cpap machine has only two prongs on the plug, so it fits into the outlet just fine. I have three socket outlets in other rooms, just not in the bedroom. This apartment passed section 8 inspection but now I'm fearful given the responses so far.

Which responses trigger the most fear? I have read through all of them and only one could possibly cause alarm: Amenite - " If there's knob and tube in the walls personally I'd be looking for a new apartment. "
That response is so specific and so unlikely as to be seen as the joke he intended it as (I think). If that really concerns you, find the breaker box and check if it has a ground buss that is connected. Just open the box and see if there is a lot of bare copper showing - it should all be gathered in a neat bundle into a solid bar with many holes filled with the wires. OTOH, if you do find "knob and tube" (typically cloth covered wire strung between ceramic insulators), break your lease citing unsafe wiring and move out - that is a fire waiting to happen.

I went down to the basement. Probably not supposed to but I don't care. I need a key to open the circuit breaker box. I will have to talk to my section 8 inspector because I do not know how much of the wiring they actually covered during inspection. I'm not completely ignorant I am just not used to seeing two pronged outlets, even the baseboard heaters scare me a little. Initially I was worried about getting electric shock during a lightning storm because the outlets weren't grounded. I know nothing about electricity.

Goofproof wrote:Does the concept of double insulated confound you. are you planning on putting your XPAP in a metal case or just throwing it in the bathtub. Jim

I was planning on throwing it in the bathtub and wearing it in the shower. After all, that is why I posted. Or I'm just looking for an excuse to not use something I spent money on.

E5BPV2 wrote:The cpap machine has only two prongs on the plug, so it fits into the outlet just fine. I have three socket outlets in other rooms, just not in the bedroom. This apartment passed section 8 inspection but now I'm fearful given the responses so far.

Hi E5BPV2 (That name is so CLEVER *I* love it! )

As is JimW159, *I* am also very interested in what triggers your fear?


E5BPV2, have you ever considered getting certification to be a section 8 inspector?
It would be hours well spent even if you never wanted to pay for the student loan or cared about the 'paper' or certainly ever wanted to do it for a living. It just might be fun for you, just for the information?

(Like taking a class on orchid propagation, or ousia?)

~~~and then if you LOVE IT?
You could become one?

~~~maybe I will run in to you "in the field" some day?
(keeping people SAFE!)

~~~grace

Grace~~~ wrote:

E5BPV2 wrote:The cpap machine has only two prongs on the plug, so it fits into the outlet just fine. I have three socket outlets in other rooms, just not in the bedroom. This apartment passed section 8 inspection but now I'm fearful given the responses so far.

Hi E5BPV2 (That name is so CLEVER *I* love it! )

As is JimW159, *I* am also very interested in what triggers your fear?


E5BPV2, have you ever considered getting certification to be a section 8 inspector?
It would be hours well spent even if you never wanted to pay for the student loan or cared about the 'paper' or certainly ever wanted to do it for a living. It just might be fun for you, just for the information?

(Like taking a class on orchid propagation, or ousia?)

~~~and then if you LOVE IT?
You could become one?

~~~maybe I will run in to you "in the field" some day?
(keeping people SAFE!)

~~~grace

Anxiety disorder triggers me. Once I fixate on something, I can't stop worrying. Why not be a section 8 inspector? Sounds like a cushy job.

Guest wrote:Anxiety disorder triggers me. Once I fixate on something, I can't stop worrying. Why not be a section 8 inspector? Sounds like a cushy job.

I am not certain which "section 8" is being referenced; if it is the one commonly referred to in Movies and TV such as "Mash" and in literature like "Catch 22," then that would typically require an undergraduate degree, completing medical school successfully, going through residency, and some time as a practicing psychiatrist. Try as he might, Klinger never succeeded in getting his "section 8."

JimW159 wrote:Amenite - " If there's knob and tube in the walls personally I'd be looking for a new apartment. "
That response is so specific and so unlikely as to be seen as the joke he intended it as (I think).

Maybe half joking. But it's still out there every now and then. Easiest thing to do would be to test the outlets for ground but the OP doesn't seem up to it.

Guest wrote:
Anxiety disorder triggers me. Once I fixate on something, I can't stop worrying. Why not be a section 8 inspector? Sounds like a cushy job.

Not JUST cushy ...
~~~ some types of section 8 even come with sexy badge!
(excellent opportunity for lanyard fashion statement)

(though I am not sure if that is a MASH badge as JimW159 speaks of? Vintage badges are usually made of much nicer paper. Sometimes even made of other things than paper?)



Guest, I am happy to hear that it is only anxiety and fixating on something random and that it has nothing to do with electricity.

I'd look in to the section 8 thing?
In the meantime maybe just get a building inspector license?

Good Luck.

~~~OH ~
Do you use your cpap to help fixate?

... if so maybe try to go deeper back than electricity? Try to fixate on something more primal.

Like fire or incense?
~~~just an idea

Good Luck!
~~~grace

monkeywaffles wrote: 1) I went down to the basement. Probably not supposed to but I don't care.
2) I know nothing about electricity.

Two points:
1) Where do you live? A gulag? If your landlord can keep you from having access to the breaker/fuses that cover your apartment then he/she will never be responsive to your concerns.
2) Learn something - it's not difficult.
1&2) You are the only person who has an obligation to look out for your interests and well-being, take control.