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    gregmjohn's Avatar
    gregmjohn Posts: 17, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Apr 22, 2007, 03:22 PM
    Grounding outlet
    Hey anyone How do I ground a 3 prong outlet and there are only 2 wires one black and one white. No green
    ebaines's Avatar
    ebaines Posts: 12,131, Reputation: 1307
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    #2

    Apr 23, 2007, 01:20 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by gregmjohn
    Hey anyone How do I ground a 3 prong outlet and there are only 2 wires one black and one white. No green
    Is your house wired using metal conduit? If so, then ground is carried through the conduit and you can connect a standard 3-prong outlet using a green ground clip to the box. If you have a volt meter you could check for voltage between the hot wire (black) and the box.
    JackT's Avatar
    JackT Posts: 260, Reputation: 19
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    #3

    Apr 23, 2007, 01:55 PM
    Even if you don't have conduit, check it with a meter. I've seen older houses where they wrapped the bare ground wire around the romex wire under the romex clamps.
    TheSavage's Avatar
    TheSavage Posts: 564, Reputation: 96
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    #4

    Apr 23, 2007, 02:35 PM
    And in most cases [ all that I have seen] you will find a bare wire -- not a green one. -- Savage
    hvac1000's Avatar
    hvac1000 Posts: 14,540, Reputation: 435
    Heating & Air Conditioning Expert
    		  
    #5

    Apr 24, 2007, 09:31 PM
    To be legal the new style outlets with a ground must be grounded. Now there are exceptions and work arounds to this in the National Electric code.
    GFCI will work if connected properly.
    Running a separate wire from the device to the water line if the water line is grounded. And a few others.

    I have been known to fill in the grounding hole in the outlet so that nothing that requires a ground can be plugged in.
    There are also outlets available for service on two wires. They cost a few bucks but they just replace exactly what is there.
    keithcw's Avatar
    keithcw Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Apr 27, 2012, 04:56 PM
    Does a gfci have to be grounded at the breaker box or can it be grounded at the box if the box is grounded? I know the gfci will function measuring differential voltage but if not grounded it will not protect against shorts and direct contact with wires.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #7

    Apr 28, 2012, 04:12 AM
    Assuming your referring to a GFI receptacle, the device needs to be grounded at the outlet box. If the outlet box does not have an equipment grounding conductor, then the GFI will do exactly what you mention, protect against ground faults only.

    There is an exception that allows an equipment grounding conductor be added from the outlet back to the grounding system at the panelboard, however, my opinion is that if a grounding wire can be added, and new cable with a grounding conductor can be installed.
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