View Full Version : Is it legal?
UsaveU
Jan 24, 2012, 11:31 AM
Is it legal in Ohio to put a 3 prong outlet in place of a two prong?
Also when wiring the three prong can I take a short peace of ground wire from the ground screw to the neutral screw so that when a inspector test the outlet it will show grounded?
Just need to know if this will pass code. Obviously retiring would be the right way to do it.
ballengerb1
Jan 24, 2012, 11:41 AM
No, not allowed by code. The 3 prong must have its own ground wire and that wire must be inside the same conduit or cable, can't just run an extra wire to the neutral or even a ground. You could install a GFCI receptacle which will be 3 pronged but still not grounded, at least will be GFCI. If your home was built with 2 prong ungrounded receptacles you are not requiired to do an upgrade unles you do a significant remodel. Can you tell us more about what/why you need this
tkrussell
Jan 24, 2012, 12:00 PM
As you were told here in your other post:
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/electrical-lighting/ground-neutral-629917.html
NO, you cannot connect the ground terminal of any device to the neutral conductor.
Asking again will not change the answer.
UsaveU
Jan 24, 2012, 12:09 PM
I'm remodeling a home to flip it (im a investor). I'm replacing the breaker panel because it is a old pushmatic and they are not good for resale neither are 2 prong. I'm not sure if I will get the return on my money if I replace all the wiring which is why I want to see about a alternate way of still using 3 prong.
tkrussell
Jan 24, 2012, 12:17 PM
Before purchasing a building, research should be done to be sure you can re-coup your investment of the purchase price and renovations.
You have two methods, either rewire each receptacle with a wiring method that provides proper grounding, or, install ground fault devices to protect the circuit.
Once a receptacle circuit has GFI protection, the two wire receptacle can be replaced with a 3 wire grounded device, and label each device "No Equipment Ground".
A GFI device offers ground fault protection, even thou there is no equipment ground.
However, knowing there is no true equipment ground is important as there are plug in applainces that NEED the equipment ground to operate properly.
stanfortyman
Jan 24, 2012, 01:52 PM
Is it legal in Ohio to put a 3 prong outlet in place of a two prong?
Also when wiring the three prong can I take a short peace of ground wire from the ground screw to the neutral screw so that when a inspector test the outlet it will show grounded?
Just need to know if this will pass code. Obviously retiring would be the right way to do it.
I'm remodeling a home to flip it (im a investor). I'm replacing the breaker panel because it is a old pushmatic and they are not good for resale neither are 2 prong. I'm not sure if i will get the return on my money if i replace all the wiring which is why I want to see about a alternate way of still using 3 prong.So the answers you got here were not good enough? Or didn't you believe them?
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/electrical-lighting/ground-neutral-629917.html
So all you really care about is if the inspector will be fooled??
I'm sorry, some of the things I see and hear from flippers really pisses me off. :mad:
ballengerb1
Jan 24, 2012, 02:04 PM
I understand what Stan is saying and can't give him a greenie until I soread some more around. I did some flipping, back when it was actually worth trying, but always knew when I reached my skill and legal limits.
UsaveU
Jan 24, 2012, 02:36 PM
Stan,
I'm not trying to short cut my properties, that is why I am asking these questions. The reason I created a second post was because you were the only one that responded to my first post, I just wanted a second opinion, or at least one more person that agreed with you.
My last property I used a electrician that did what you say is wrong to do and I didn't know it until I asked a different electrician to do it to my current property and he said he won't do it. Because of him saying that it is wrong is why I am asking around.
Trust me I am not one of those shoty flipper. I did 6 houses last year and I have 3 that I'm working on right now. I am pulling permits now because I am planning on doing around 20 houses this year, so my risk of getting caught without permits has tripled, plus it will assure me that the guys that are working on my properties are not short cutting anything if they are having to get inspection by the building department. I am learning and yes I have made mistakes but I'm learning from them so that they do not happen again.
I like this forum and hope that you all will continue to answer my questions because I want to know more about electrical so that before I buy these homes I will know what has to be done to the electrical to make it the way I want it.