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    kingflash's Avatar
    kingflash Posts: 18, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Aug 27, 2014, 01:17 PM
    Converting 2 prong outlets to 3 prong.
    I am needing help.

    I have 3 black and 3 white wires in the my house that were all connected together into a 2 prong outlet. I am trying to convert them to 3 prong outlets. The 3 prong outlets have the slots in which I can insert the black to black and white to white and I did as such with the 2 set of wires for the top and bottom of the 3 prong outlet. Now when I use that outlet, the lights in my kitchen go off along with anything that is over in that area. Please advise.
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #2

    Aug 27, 2014, 02:01 PM
    Does it trip the breaker? If so, you have wires touching. If not, you most likely have a loose wire connection. Why not pigtail a lead from the black and white and then you only need to run a single wire to the outlet. All those other wires are running to the other outlets and lights.
    kingflash's Avatar
    kingflash Posts: 18, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Aug 27, 2014, 02:13 PM
    Thank you so much ma0641! I will try that. Can you also looking my other questions in my profile concerning plumbing? Your assistance is much appreciated!
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #4

    Aug 27, 2014, 02:27 PM
    What about the ground? Was there a valid ground present in the box? Or did you just swap two prong for three not caring about the ground?
    kingflash's Avatar
    kingflash Posts: 18, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Aug 27, 2014, 02:30 PM
    Hi Stan, I did not see a valid ground present in the box. I followed the instructions off a YouTube video and saw that the feedback was pretty valid. Please advise if this is incorrect.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
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    #6

    Aug 27, 2014, 02:39 PM
    No, it is certainly not correct. YouTube videos are notoriously incorrect in many instances.
    What type of cable was run in the house?

    Quote Originally Posted by kingflash View Post
    Hi Stan, I did not see a valid ground present in the box. I followed the instructions off a YouTube video and saw that the feedback was pretty valid. Please advise if this is incorrect.
    And not to sound like a jerk, but wow is this scary!
    kingflash's Avatar
    kingflash Posts: 18, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Aug 27, 2014, 02:43 PM
    I am not quite sure what cable was ran in the house. The is an older house so there were a lot of 2 prongs. This was first outlet that I ran to that had the 3 sets of wires. The others are the normal 2 sets that I just connected to the 3 prong accordingly.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #8

    Aug 27, 2014, 03:07 PM
    Yeah, so by replacing the two prong with three prong, without verifying if there is even a ground present in the box you are creating a potential safety and fire hazard. Were you aware of that? Did your YourTube tutorial touch on that subject?
    What did you think the extra hole was for?
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