[Heaterman]

I have home built in 1945 in Michigan. How do I put in in the new grouded outlets with two wires? One wire is coated and one is bare copper wire! Thanks for the help. Should I just have a electrican do it ? When I bought the house in 1973 I had the service panal replaced to a100amp service with 15 amp breakers! Any help I greatly welcome!

[daviddare73]

I have home built in 1945 in michigan. how do i put in in the new grouded outlets with two wires? one wire is coated and one is bare copper wire! thanks for the help. should i just have a electrican do it ? when i bought the house in 1973 i had the service panal replaced to a100amp service with 15 amp breakers! any help i greatly welcome!

I am a Journeyman Elelctrician, have been since 1993. I would say you need to either call an electrician or pruchase polarized plugs without the groudng terminal or third (rounded, flat on top) prong. My first house was wired this way, although it was a bungalow on concrete blocks easy under house access, open. I was able to run new wires from the panel, which is what I would do in your situation, if at all possible. If your home isn't rewire friendly, then I'd be very careful, turn the power off. Test your tester on a known live circuit before testing to make sure this line is off. Safety first, you'll live to see tomorrow... More people are killed by 120 volts than any other voltage, most readily accessible and holds you right there once it grabs you. Some people can release, but I wouldn't push my luck too far without experience handling live wires in proximity with your hands being there too. If you just want to replace the plug because it is worn out, you can get the two prong plug replacement, or run a new wire to the panel. Best bet is to call someone though to be sure you're describing what I hope you are. Or as we say make sure you are picking up what I'm laying down. Hope this helps, Daviddare73

[tkrussell]

The only way two wire outlets with only two wires at each outlet and no equipment ground can be changed with three wire outlets is to have the three wire outlets first protected with a GFI device.

If the first two wire outlet in a circuit can be changed with a GFI outlet, and then the remaining circuit can be protected with the load side of the GFI, the downstream outlets can be three wire outlets, and the labels that come with the GFI "No Equipment Ground" be placed on each three wire outlet that the GFI protects.

If it is not possible to use a GFI receptacle to protect downstream outlets, then the entire circuit can be protected using a GFI circuit breaker, again labelling each three wire outlet with "No Equipment Ground".

This method is allowed by code to offer ground fault protection only. A short circuit can still occur in an appliance, and without the safety of the equipment ground, the metal frame can still be energized and not trip a breaker, but the GFI protection will protect a person from injury.

Of course, the best method is to run new wiring with an equipment ground, but for those cases it is impractical, at least there is GFI protection.

If you chose not to do any GFI protection, then no three wire outlets are allowd, and only two wire replacement outlets can be installed.

[labman]

What is your current wiring like? I don't think the romex common now was available in 1945. I doubt BX was ever made with one bare and one insulated wire. Do you have conduit, light weight metal pipes, running from the box to the outlets? If so, you may be able to pull in new black, white, and green wires. The elbows should either long radius bends or accessible ''LB's''. It is highly possible some of the ''LB's'' were drywalled over in the last 62 years. You will need to look at the codes carefully. They are much more restrictive now than 1945. There are limits to how many wires can be in a conduit. Rigid conduit is sized like pipe, 1/2'' is almost 7/8'' OD.

Left undisturbed, the insulation on your old wiring might last another 60 years. Look at it crossed eyed, and it may fall off. Best use it to pull in some modern THHN or something. Likely it was rubber, which eventually falls apart. I wouldn't be surprised if the modern vinyl will still be good when it gets to be 60 years old if never overloaded.

[Heaterman]

The only way two wire outlets with only two wires at each outlet and no equipment ground can be changed with three wire outlets is to have the three wire outlets first protected with a GFI device.

If the first two wire outlet in a circuit can be changed with a GFI outlet, and then the remaining circuit can be protected with the load side of the GFI, the downstream outlets can be three wire outlets, and the labels that come with the GFI "No Equipment Ground" be placed on each three wire outlet that the GFI protects.

If it is not possible to use a GFI receptacle to protect downstream outlets, then the entire circuit can be protected using a GFI circuit breaker, again labelling each three wire outlet with "No Equipment Ground".

This method is allowed by code to offer ground fault protection only. A short circuit can still occur in an appliance, and without the safety of the equipment ground, the metal frame can still be energized and not trip a breaker, but the GFI protection will protect a person from injury.

Of course, the best method is to run new wiring with an equipment ground, but for those cases it is impractical, at least there is GFI protection.

If you chose not to do any GFI protection, then no three wire outlets are allowd, and only two wire replacement outlets can be installed.

Thank you for the Help, ithink I'll call a electrican to do the work!

[Heaterman]

What is your current wiring like? I don't think the romex common now was available in 1945. I doubt BX was ever made with one bare and one insulated wire. Do you have conduit, light weight metal pipes, running from the box to the outlets? If so, you may be able to pull in new black, white, and green wires. The elbows should either long radius bends or accessible ''LB's''. It is highly possible some of the ''LB's'' were drywalled over in the last 62 years. You will need to look at the codes carefully. They are much more restrictive now than 1945. There are limits to how many wires can be in a conduit. Rigid conduit is sized like pipe, 1/2'' is almost 7/8'' OD.

Left undisturbed, the insulation on your old wiring might last another 60 years. Look at it crossed eyed, and it may fall off. Best use it to pull in some modern THHN or something. Likely it was rubber, which eventually falls apart. I wouldn't be surprised if the modern vinyl will still be good when it gets to be 60 years old if never overloaded.

Thank you very much for your information I think I'll have a electrican work on it, instead of me! Better to be safe.

[Heaterman]

The only way two wire outlets with only two wires at each outlet and no equipment ground can be changed with three wire outlets is to have the three wire outlets first protected with a GFI device.

If the first two wire outlet in a circuit can be changed with a GFI outlet, and then the remaining circuit can be protected with the load side of the GFI, the downstream outlets can be three wire outlets, and the labels that come with the GFI "No Equipment Ground" be placed on each three wire outlet that the GFI protects.

If it is not possible to use a GFI receptacle to protect downstream outlets, then the entire circuit can be protected using a GFI circuit breaker, again labelling each three wire outlet with "No Equipment Ground".

This method is allowed by code to offer ground fault protection only. A short circuit can still occur in an appliance, and without the safety of the equipment ground, the metal frame can still be energized and not trip a breaker, but the GFI protection will protect a person from injury.

Of course, the best method is to run new wiring with an equipment ground, but for those cases it is impractical, at least there is GFI protection.

If you chose not to do any GFI protection, then no three wire outlets are allowd, and only two wire replacement outlets can be installed.

Thanks you were very helpful !