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jimbrown217
Mar 2, 2010, 03:14 PM
I have an open circuit problem according to a plug in light tester what's the best way to find out where the break is? Do I have to check all recep. fixtures,switches. I have a volt meter. There is plastic and metal boxes and all is 2 wire romex

creahands
Mar 2, 2010, 03:23 PM
Hi jim

Do u have an open ground or open circuit? There is a difference.

Chuck

KISS
Mar 2, 2010, 05:22 PM
The reason you have an open ground is because 2-wire Romex doesn't have one. Usually there is a bare conductor betwenn the two insulated ones.

The PROPER way to handle this situation without re-wiring is to protect the outlets on that circuit with a GFCI and label each outlet "No Equipment ground"

donf
Mar 2, 2010, 07:14 PM
Current copper NM cables marked "X"/2 does contain a bare copper ground inside the sheath of the cable.

The "/2" means two conductors (usually black and white). An "X/3" would be 3 conductors (Black, Red and White) with a bare ground.

Can you send us a picture of what you have? Also, how old is the wiring and is it inside metal conduit?