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View Full Version : Houses built in the 1920's grounding


Sirch2
Jan 24, 2011, 09:11 AM
Converting two prong to three prong outlets, are the individual boxes usually grounded in the 1920's construction era?

smoothy
Jan 24, 2011, 09:14 AM
Nope... assuming the house has its original wiring. If it does, you should seriously consider having it rewired if only for safety reasons.

ballengerb1
Jan 24, 2011, 09:36 AM
I am not saying this to be a smart alec but if you have to ask then it is likely you should hire this job out. To know if a box is grounded is a very, very simple test. Put you test lead on the hot wire and the other lead on the box. I'm with Smoothy and think a total rewire should be considered.

ma0641
Jan 24, 2011, 12:59 PM
Yep, me too. You may even have Knob and Tube wiring at that date and they didn't usually run ground wires then.

stanfortyman
Jan 24, 2011, 02:32 PM
Actually it is not that simple checking for ground. You will get a ground reading even if old BX cable was used. Old BX, without the thin aluminum bond strip, cannot be used as an equipment grounding means!