Arno Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 When remodeling older homes I most usually just gut the walls and start from scratch. Updating the electrical is fairly easy with everything exposed. However, a friend who is buying a house just asked me how to change his old 2 prong outlets to accept 3 prong. Well, changing from one to the other is no big trick, but what good is it unless it's grounded? (ans: N.G.) Short of snaking (ugh!) grounding wires from the outlets to each other and down to the panel (or a water pipe), what else would you do to make sure the outlets are grounded? Seems to me that's the only way to go. Thanks. ______________________ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FenderBender Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 Did you or him confirm there is no ground conductor present? I have seen older systems where 3 wire was used, but ground wasn't utilized. "All people have the right to stupidity but some abuse the privilege" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arno Posted November 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 Did you or him confirm there is no ground conductor present? I have seen older systems where 3 wire was used, but ground wasn't utilized. No, I didn't look. It's what the inspector told him when he conducted the home inspection. ______________________ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plug and teaser Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 What FenderBender said, also if the house was wired with old BX cable you might be alright too. If it was done properly you may be able to put in grounded plugs with a bonding wire. You'll have to look first and see what you have for wire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arno Posted November 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 What FenderBender said, also if the house was wired with old BX cable you might be alright too. If it was done properly you may be able to put in grounded plugs with a bonding wire. You'll have to look first and see what you have for wire. "...with a bonding wire." I assume you mean wire to the BX metal sheath which is grounded. And run a wire from the BX to each outlet ground screw, right? And yes, 'need to first see what wiring is there. ______________________ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plug and teaser Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 "...with a bonding wire." I assume you mean wire to the BX metal sheath which is grounded. And run a wire from the BX to each outlet ground screw, right? And yes, 'need to first see what wiring is there. Close but not exactly, in a BX wire system the wire casing and the metal boxes form a continues ground if properly done. You can attach a wire from the ground lug of the plug to the metal box and it will be properly grounded. They sell short ground wires with the screw for the box already attached. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arno Posted November 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 You can attach a wire from the ground lug of the plug to the metal box and it will be properly grounded. Understood. Thanks for the info'. ______________________ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulS Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 Close but not exactly, in a BX wire system the wire casing and the metal boxes form a continues ground if properly done. You can attach a wire from the ground lug of the plug to the metal box and it will be properly grounded. They sell short ground wires with the screw for the box already attached. That's exactly how my house was. I bought the short ground wires and was good to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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