Old Romex with No Ground

[Coreyd1@optonline.net]

I went on a service call and found that when I plugged in my receptacle tester is showed open ground. The home owner changed all his receptcles to 3 prong receptacles that were install in a metallic box with old "original" 2c romex with no grounding conductor. The conductors are Aluminum. What is the proper or common practice to fix the installation. Install 2 prong receptacles or a GFCI Breaker? If someone could please advise or point me in the right direction in the code book. Thanks in advance.

 

[iwire]

I went on a service call and found that when I plugged in my receptacle tester is showed open ground. The home owner changed all his receptcles to 3 prong receptacles that were install in a metallic box with old "original" 2c romex with no grounding conductor. The conductors are Aluminum. What is the proper or common practice to fix the installation. Install 2 prong receptacles or a GFCI Breaker? If someone could please advise or point me in the right direction in the code book. Thanks in advance.

Check 406.4(D) for options.

As far as the wire, I doubt it is aluminum, it is likely tin plated copper. scrape the conductor with a knife and you will likely find copper.

When aluminum cables where popular grounding conductors were required.

 

[GoldDigger]

See 406.4(D) in 2011 NEC. It gives all of the options. Except that you are not the one who is going to replace the original two wire receptacles, so some of the options technically do not apply. But, think of it as virtually restoring the old receptacles and then replacing them, I guess.

 

[flatlander]

Don't you need afci also?

 

[jumper]

Don't you need afci also?

Depends where the receptacles are located ,what code cycle OP is on, and what local amendments apply.

AFCI requirements for this application could be 210.12 and 406.4(D)(4).

 

[jumper]

See 406.4(D) in 2011 NEC. It gives all of the options. Except that you are not the one who is going to replace the original two wire receptacles, so some of the options technically do not apply. But, think of it as virtually restoring the old receptacles and then replacing them, I guess.

:?

 

[jxofaltrds]

I went on a service call and found that when I plugged in my receptacle tester is showed open ground. The home owner changed all his receptcles to 3 prong receptacles that were install in a metallic box with old "original" 2c romex with no grounding conductor. The conductors are Aluminum. What is the proper or common practice to fix the installation. Install 2 prong receptacles or a GFCI Breaker? If someone could please advise or point me in the right direction in the code book. Thanks in advance.

Bob gave you the code.

Since you 'don't know' when they where installed my view is a GFCI breaker or GFCI blank face beside the panel (blank face because it may be a kitchen circuit or bathroom circuit, etc.) will may you safe and code compliant.

If you 'do know' then AFCI protection may also be needed.

 

[GoldDigger]

:?

Just joking: Since the old receptacles have already been replaced but in a non- compliant way, you would have to first correct that by putting two wire receptacles back and then you could replace those receptacles in a compliant way.
Otherwise you would not be replacing existing two wire receptacles and could not apply the provision to use a GFCI w/o a ground.