Re: home electric question
Ok, I'll start randomly, but this is based on average homes and electrical requirements, and I strongly recommend all electrical work be done by a licensed electrician.
1. Unless the TV has a 3-pronged plug, you do not need to ground it to the house electrical system. If it's 2-prong, then it is grounded within, and adding a grounded outlet (whether it be at the wall, or via surge protector) will never provide a ground for the TV. That in itself may negate any need to go any further.
2. For surge protection, you can get a 3-prong to 2-prong adapter, and properly connect it (ground it to the box, either with the little tab or wire that it comes with), it will provide the protection you are hoping for.
3. The problem with tapping into the dedicated freezer outlet would be that you will have to run the proper gauge wiring, not typical wire. But, you can just tap into the ground.
4. I'll lay odds that the other 3-pronged outlets in your home are NOT grounded. Unless they are in a newer addition of your home, that a ground was provided for during construction. Even if a new panel was put in, the in-wall wiring would have had to be replaced to actually provide a ground. -pronged outlets are less expensive then 2-pronged, and eliminate the need to go digging looking for the adapter(s), so many people simply switched the receptacle.
5. Another way to provide a 'ground' for a non-grounded outlet is to install a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) receptacle, and have it wired CORRECTLY for a non-grounded system. It's considered a 'false ground', but it serves it's purpose.
6. When you buy your new TV and entertainment center, see if any of the components are 3-pronged, and worry about it then. Most all electrical appliances (not including major appliances or high AMP items like washers/dryers, fridges, power tools, etc.), do not require a grounded outlet. My guess, is if you walked around your house, you'd find that your computer and related components, microwave, and air conditioner are about the only things you own that require a ground. I'd be surprised if the TV required one. (Keep in mind I have no experience with the new LCD/Plasma TV's)
Grounds were originally (1950's and on) in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and on dedicated circuits. These are wet locations, or areas where high AMP draw would be common. This still stands true today. Grounds became commonplace throughout the house as the cost to the builder came down and justified it, and, it was a good marketing plan in selling those new homes.
In a nutshell, if the items you are plugging into an outlet are 2-prong, don't worry about the need for a ground. As far as surge protection, there are whole house protectors you can get, and then you'll never have to worry about anything electrical in your house, which is the way I'd go.
In case you're wondering, I've been/was a home inspector for 10 years, I'm certified in numerous areas of home construction/design, and have inspected roughly 12,000 homes. I am in no way an expert, and as I said in the beginning, all electrical work should be performed by a licensed electrician. Electricity kills quickly and quietly.
