Non Grounded / Grounded receptacles

[1793]

So, recently I have been having a lot of customers wanting me to ?change two prong receptacles with grounded. 99% of the time the circuit is only a two wire circuit so According to Article 406.4(D) I can only change ?like for like? or the GFCI replacement.

If I can get a wire to the receptacle and ?Tap? the Ground System per 250.130(C)(1) or (2) I can replace with a Grounded Receptacle.

Does the length matter and can it run separately to the branch circuit wiring?

I would like to hear what peoples thoughts are on this matter, is it necessary to go through this trouble? If ?No? how would you explain this to your customer?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I hope you can do that because I have done that many times in past years. Art. 300.3 (B) says no except for the EGC in accordance with 250.130(C). I say you are good to go.

Edit to add--- I usually take it back to the panel. I don't like going to water pipes since they can be changed to plastic

 

[iaov]

I always go back to the panel also for the same reason Dennis does.

 

[1793]

Is there that much to be gained by adding the ground?

 

[Oakey]

I hope you can do that because I have done that many times in past years. Art. 300.3 (B) says no except for the EGC in accordance with 250.130(C). I say you are good to go.

Edit to add--- I usually take it back to the panel. I don't like going to water pipes since they can be changed to plastic

I hope so to! I've done it also that way

 

[brian john]

There is a safety factor, but how many of the appliances the HO has have 3 prong grounded cord caps?

Not sure of the better approach GFCI VS grounding, But I think GFCI would offer more from a safety stand point, but a combination would be best.

If you make these mods will you be required to add AFCI when 2008 is adopted in your area?

 

[infinity]

99% of the time the circuit is only a two wire circuit

What was the original wiring method? Around here a lot of the older homes have 2-wire AC cable which if it were installed after 195X the metal box would be grounded and a self grounding receptacle could be used.

 

[1793]

What was the original wiring method? Around here a lot of the older homes have 2-wire AC cable which if it were installed after 195X the metal box would be grounded and a self grounding receptacle could be used.

Cloth(?) n-m (no ground)

 

[LarryFine]

I always recommend leaving everything the way it is, and running a new circuit for the one or two locations where the grounding receptacle is really needed. In a kitchen, the few existing receptacles are usually on 15a circuits anyway.

Usually, the request is for a computer station or an audio/video system. Since most homes that were wired with no EGC's have 90% of the house on two or three 15a circuits, this benefits both the existing loads and the new electronics.