Grounding

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lightbugg

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How do you ground an outlet that is in a metal box, but has the old two wire Romex in? Do you ground to just the box or do bond the whole thing? :confused:
 
Re: Grounding

When you say outlet I assume you mean receptacle. (See Article 100 Definitions) You pretty much have two options.

250.130(C) which provides a grounding means, or 406.3(D)(3) which provides receptacle replacement without a grounding means. :)
 
Re: Grounding

Good point Bennie!

Chances are, anything and everything you plan on plugging in will have only two prongs. No ground needed! :p
 
Re: Grounding

Bennie,
What, you mean bringing in a bucket of dirt doesn't work?
Click to expand...
this method only works if you leave a trail connecting to the outside dirt. ;)

Roger
 
Re: Grounding

Actually Bennie is correct. Here is the NEC language for receptacle grounding
405.3 (B) To Be Grounded. Receptacles and cord connectors that have grounding contacts shall have those contacts effectively grounded.
The definition of effectively grounded is

Grounded, Effectively. Intentionally connected to earth through a ground connection.

Dirt is then an allowed method.

This is exactly why Don G (Moderator) made many proposal to change equipment grounding conductor to equipment bonding conductor.

Lightbugg-The nec has allowed methods for installing an equipment grounding conductor, see 250.130(C).

The most cost effective method is to replace the two wire receptacle with a GFCI. See section 406.3
 
Re: Grounding

For what it is worth, the proposal to replace the term Equipment Grounding Conductor with Equipment Bonding Conductor was not accepted since it had some implications that were not thought about in the proposal stage and couldn't be fixed in the comment stage. A committee is going to be appointed to study the issue and bring back a proposal fro the 2008 cycle. I suspect it will be a slam dunk (Go Pacers) for the 2008 cycle. :D
 
Re: Grounding

Originally posted by bennie:
What, you mean bringing in a bucket of dirt doesn't work? ;)
Click to expand...
T'aint funny, Magee (did I spell that name right?)! Last year, I visited the home of someone I know (no clues to be given as to the identity of the person), and he showed me his neat way of getting a grounded outlet where he previously only had a 2-prong receptacle. He installed a 3-prong receptacle, and attached a green wire (at least he got that part right) to the green post on the receptacle. He then ran the green wire out the window (2nd floor), and attached it to a 12 inch piece of pipe that he had jammed into the dirt below the window.

I think I was able to at least undeceive him as to the level of safety that he had achieved with his innovative solution.
 
Re: Grounding

Good catch Tom. Johnnie Cochran could win a case that the dirt on a house constitutes a ground conductor :mad: I don't know how the size and copper content can be determined. :confused:

I will turn over in my grave, if the word "bond" is redefined. The world staff of lexicographers, a 150 year old group, of language scholars have written the approved definition.

The NEC does not have the right to change word definitions. Should this be attempted, a law suit can throw it out.

Let the code officials chase causes of fires.
 
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