I wanted to install a Plugmold 6-outlet strip in place of an existing receptacle. I'm not an electrician but I have enough familiarity to do simple replacements with existing fixtures (I don't usually add anything new). This is the first time I have changed the purpose of a receptacle, trying to go from a 2-prong outlet to a 3-prong multi-outlet strip.

The house is old enough that some receptacles are 2-prong outlets with no ground and this happens to be one of them. When I removed the outlet, I checked the box itself and found no ground wire or attachment to anything for a ground (unfortunately, I didn't have a tester to verify beforehand).

This receptacle is within a few inches of a more-recently wired switch which has an updated line with a ground wire connected. There was enough excess ground wire that I was able to tie this same ground to the box I was updating, by pulling the excess wire to the outlet box inside the wall.

It appears to be working properly and the voltage checks out across the terminals of the outlet strip and from the hot-wire to ground (I purchased a tester since I have doubts about the setup).

I don't know for sure if these two lines are on the same breaker, but my questions is, even if they are, is it acceptable to tie both lines to the same ground? If they are not on the same breaker, is this a really bad (i.e: dangerous) thing to do?

I really want a ground line on the new outlet strip because it will be used for computer and other elecetronic devices.

If this is something I should get a licensed electrician to check out and/or replace, I would appreciate the feedback.

Thanks.

You could plug in a 3 prong tester(about 6 0r 7 dollars), and
It would indicate the you have open ground(not grounded) or
Correct circuit.

revans3 electro/mechanical tech

That was a good, simple suggestion. Even though the voltmeter suggested the outlet was properly powered (and plugged in devices were working), the tester returned bad results.

Bottom line, I reversed everything to its original condition and I'm calling in an electrician to update the line...

Thanks.