I am currently renting the second floor of a house in RI. This how was built 100+ years ago. Today I had a breaker trip in my L/R. I went to turn my sons light on for him in his room, no go. Then walked into my computer/bedroom, where there are 2 computers and they were off as well. My first question is, I found today that there are 12 oulets, plus 2 over head lights all on the same circuit. Is this allowed?

Question number 2: There are also outlets in my apartment that have 3 prongs with nothing attached to the ground. I was looking at 2 outlets on the same string of wiring on the wall and noticed one had a 2 prong outlet and one had a 3, so my curiosity got the best of me and I popped the cover off. (I am an electrician in the military) I don't deal with household electrical, learned some basic NEC is school, but this also just doesn't seem right. Is it right or wrong?

Thanks,
Concerned mom

The answer to your first question is yes, it is allowed. It is good that your sparky sense was tingling and telling you it's not the best idea.

To answer your second question, unless the 3 prong receptacles are GFCI protected and labeled "no equipment ground" it is not allowed. I may be mistaken, but I think even that may no longer be allowed in the 2008 NEC. I wouldn't do it that way regardless so I'm not positive.

This practice:


unless the 3 prong receptacles are GFCI protected and labeled "no equipment ground" it is not allowed. I may be mistaken, but I think even that may no longer be allowed in the 2008 NEC. I wouldn't do it that way regardless so I'm not positive.

Is still allowed.

Using a GFI device to protect ungrounded 3 wire receptacles help protect anyone using that receptacle from ground faults, however does not create a ground, that would be required for certain devices, such as surge protectors, to operate properly.


A circuit with a dozen outlets and a couple of lights is allowed, would be considered as a General Purpose Lighting Circuit. Any equipment, such as air conditioners, computers, exercise equipment, may work OK, if not much else is running at the same time, but would work much better if on their own circuit.

So these outlets I have (that are not GFCI's) that are the 3 prong version are allowed? Even if they aren't grounded to anything. Where is the ground going to go if something happens? Isn't that going to cause my electronics to eat themselves or worse Isn't that kind of a fire waiting to happen?

I suggest bringing these issues up with your landlord. You should not be messing with this stuff in a place that you rent.