@Mr.Roland, nope, consider if the neutral connection failed between the outlet and breaker. If you had a proper ground, nothing would happen since there is no path from hot to the ground. But with the neutral-ground connection, current would go from hot, to the neutral in the outlet, and back out the ground. If the device has a metal exterior, the entire surface is now energized and waiting to electrocute you. – BMitch♦ Oct 3 '11 at 20:14.