Can someone please explain the difference between the below 4 outlet configurations. I mean what are the dangers/benefits of the different ones? Considering I have 3 pronged devices like tv's and refrigerators connected to them.
Thanks.
According to Bob :
The above two are essentially equivalent. Any hot-ground or neutral-ground short (even weak ones like via your body) in the device will cause the GFCI to trip.
In the former, a hot-case short will only blow a breaker if it's a low-impedance short.
In the latter, a hot-case short will not blow the breaker and will energize the metal case of any three prong device.
in 2 and 4, you don't have solid grounds, hence RF interference (both in or out) is somewhat higher, and, you don't have a good ground for surge suppressors.
A working GFCI is always safer shock-hazard wise than a 3 prong outlet, grounded or not.
A ground is better for, er, grounding ;-)
The best option, you have ground fault protection at the 5ma level and the case of your equipment is solidly grounded
You do have ground fault protection but the case of the equipment may still be at line voltage until something or someone provides the ground fault. Surge protection is also compromised
Good grounding but no way to clear a ground fault until it reaches the branch circuit O/C device rating
Worst case, no grounding and no way to clear a ground fault until the breaker trips.
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