Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with outlets

Are there power outlets on International United Airlines flights?

linzenoonoo — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:55:27 -0800

Are there power outlets on International United Airlines flights? My mother is wanting to be able to charge her laptop on a plane ride to Bejing, and wants to know if she is able to either plug her laptop in on the flight, or bring a cigarette lighter power inverter in order to charge it. Does anyone have any input on this that I can tell her?

Is there power outlets in the "coach" class of Amtrak?

Idiot Mittens — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:03:41 -0800

Is there power outlets in the "coach" class of Amtrak? Specifically for a trip from Montreal to New York City.

Your New Kitchen

birdlips — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:01:07 -0800

RemodelingKitchenFilter: What do you wish you had done to your kitchen when you had the chance? We are doing a complete remodel of our kitchen including everything from the electrical to the cabinets. The kitchen is gutted and we have a clean pallet. We are starting the electrical upgrade this weekend.

What ideas would you suggest we include in our design that you would want in your kitchen?

For example, we are adding under cabinet lighting, auto lighting in the pantry, a wine cooler to the island, canned lighting and in ceiling speakers.

I am looking for electrical suggestions (such as lighting or placement of outlets) as well as hardware or even design.

Thanks!

Reversed wall outlet?

Marky — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:04:43 -0800

I'm looking for an unusual AC wall outlet. Has anyone seen a dual 110 AC outlet that has one of the sockets reversed? That is, one socket with the ground hole pointed up, and the other pointed down. I'd like to be able to plug two wall warts into one wall socket. I really don't like the strip adapters.

I need three holes. Give it to me.

sephira — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:29:01 -0800

How can I convert a two-prong plug to a three pronged plug? Just moved to a new place, and the outlet in the living room is two pronged. Of course, most of my things are three-pronged.

I realize I can get one of those orange adapter things which would allow my things to work, but from what I know of electrical stuff (which is pretty much nothing) that it would offer no protection from a surge because that third prong is a ground wire or what have you. Even if I plug a power strip into the adapter.

So, my question is, is it possible to convert a two prong plug into a three pronged plug? Bonus points for making it easy.

What is the difference between 2 and 3 pronged outlets and do I need 3?

D Wiz — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 16:02:08 -0800

What is the difference between 2 and 3 prong outlets and do I need 3? I am renting an apartments with a friend and have the first choice of rooms. One room is better than the other but I noticed that it only has 2 pronged outlets. The other room (right across the hall) has three pronged outlets. I really want to take the one with 2 pronged outlets but am not sure what practically speaking that means to me. I am going to be plugging in computer(s), an air conditioner etc. I have a surge protector but I believe that the SP has three prongs on it so I am going to have to get an adapter (from 3 to 2). What exactly does the third prong do? Do I need it for this situation?

(Also, someone suggested to me that even the three pronged outlets were just faceplates but not really grounded. It is a really old building so he could be right. Is it possible for the same apartment to have one room with grounded outlets and one without?)

How to undo central light switch setup?

edlundart — Thu, 28 Apr 2005 14:27:40 -0800

In my new apartment, the outlet I have to use for my computer system is hooked up to a lightswitch that also controls the room's lights. Any good ideas on how to undo this situation? In other words, if I want my computer to be on all night, then the lights in the room have to be on as well. The lights are wall-mounted and have no on/off switch. If I turn off the lights, anything attached to the wall outlet, including my computer system, shuts down. I am wondering: 1) the outlet has two actual sockets, ie room for two things to be plugged in. Is it possible for an electrician or someone smart to disconnect just one of them from the central system, so that my computer could stay on when I turn off the light? 2) if not, does a lightbulb exist that has an on/off switch right on it, so I could leave the room switch always on, and turn off the lights by using a lightbulb switch? OR 3) does someone have a great idea I haven't thought of? Any advice would be appreciated.

It's Electric!

tomharpel — Sun, 13 Feb 2005 20:07:46 -0800

The outlets in my new apartment are two pronged. I've been tearing the third prong off of power strips in order to plug them into the wall. Is this bad?