I am installing a new microwave in my mother's townhouse. The townhouse was built in the 60's. I can not tell if the outlet is grounded. All other outlets in her townhouse are two prong. Is there going to be a hazard tapping into the two prong outlet power source to provide power for the microwave?

Thanks for your help.

Marc

In the 60's it probably was, but in order to find out you'll have to look for ground wires in the main panel and the outlet.

If they exist in the outlet, then it's not quite a simple matter to change them to grounded ones. It is simple, but it's difficult. I'm assuming a metal box.

I usually do it with special pigtails:
One being solid, green, has a fork terminal and has an integral wirenut attached with the wire coming out the "wrong end".

The other pigtail is a piece of solid green wire and a ground clip. Integral ground screws on the box probably aren't present.

Remove power and remove the outlet from the box. If your lucky the grounds are in the back of the box wrapped around a screw. Carefully remove them from the screw and attach the solid pigtail and the wirenut pigtail. Use the ground clip to attach the solid wire to the edge of the box.

The fork terminal will go to the screw on the grounded outlet.

This is preferred.

It is permissible, but I don't like it in this case to use a GFCI ungrounded as long as it's labeled.

You void the UL listing by changing the cord/plug to a two prong.

Those are the best ways.

I would not recommend a 3-way adpater in this case.