Replacing Receptacles in an Old Home

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Jimmy7

Senior Member
Location
Boston, MA
Occupation
Electrician
I have a job where I have to replace 15 amp receptacles in an old single family home. I opened one of the receptacle boxes and found 14-2 NM cable with a reduced ground which looked like a #16. The reduced ground wire was back-wrapped on the cable sheath and then put under the cable clamp of the box. Can I unwrap this ground and use this for a ground for the receptacle?
 
Note 406.4(D) requires replacement receptacles to be the Arc-Fault or Arc-Faulr protected if they are being installed in an area requiring AFCI per 21012(A) or (B)
 
If you use the existing EGC to ground the receptacle you also need to pigtail it to the metal box.
 
Yes.
My old boss called it the Boston wrap. I'm sure other areas of the country have their own nickname for it.
Like larry said.
I always unwrap the ground wires and terminate them to the metal box and receptacle.
If replacing more than one receptacle on the same circuit you may want to "go for it" and AFCI protect the entire circuit.
 
I have a job where I have to replace 15 amp receptacles in an old single family home.

Note 406.4(D) requires replacement receptacles to be the Arc-Fault or Arc-Faulr protected if they are being installed in an area requiring AFCI per 21012(A) or (B)
Depending on the box, you may not be able to force an AFCI device in it with a hammer.

If replacing more than one receptacle on the same circuit you may want to "go for it" and AFCI protect the entire circuit.
And tamper resistant.

What are we up to now? Around $10K?

-Hal
 
Replacing receptacles is not a job that requires a permit. I would get memory loss for the AFCI receptacles.
This is another stupid rule IMO. If you use an AFCI receptacle on a new circuit, the code says the section from the panel to the 1st outlet has to be conduit, then add the AFCI receptacle, then load side to the rest. But if just replacing an existing duplex, you just add the AFCI receptacle no matter the wiring method up to that receptacle. Makes no sense!
 
Replacing receptacles is not a job that requires a permit. I would get memory loss for the AFCI receptacles.

I have a supply of non TR receptacles that I use in case somebody like a HI says the receptacles have been replaced and need to be AFCIs. "Oh no, they have been there for years, they just look new. If they were new, they would be TR receptacles because that's all HD sells."

-Hal
 
If they were new, they would be TR receptacles because that's all HD sells."
I know you are joking, but all jokes aside, I picked up a box of 10 non TR for next to nothing 2 weeks ago
Screenshot_20230301-050929.png

Edit: But you can make them look old by letting the painter paint them after you install them
 
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