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    jimbrown217's Avatar
    jimbrown217 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Mar 2, 2010, 03:14 PM
    Electrical open ground
    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's Avatar
    creahands Posts: 2,854, Reputation: 195
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    #2

    Mar 2, 2010, 03:23 PM

    Hi jim

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

    Chuck
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #3

    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's Avatar
    donf Posts: 5,679, Reputation: 582
    Printers & Electronics Expert
    		  
    #4

    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?
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