On Tue, 11 Jul 2006 03:57:40 GMT, AZ Nomad
wrote:

On Mon, 10 Jul 2006 20:53:02 -0500, zxcvbob wrote:
I haven't checked the most recent revision of the code to make sure it's
still there, but the code specifically allows you to run a separate
ground wire when upgrading old work. Think about it; the old ungrounded
wiring is code compliant because there was no grounded requirement when
it was installed. Adding a supplemental grounding wire can only make it
safer (assuming the grounding wire goes back to the panel or grounding
electrode system so a fault can't energize another circuit.)

Anything you touch is going to have to meet current code and the old wiring
probably won't if it's sixty years old. If you're going to pull a
ground through your walls, pulling new wiring isn't much more trouble.


Thank you all for commenting, I appreciate all the info!

I went down in the basement and pulled the cover off the entrance
panel. The inspection I did was very interesting, especially in light
of all the comments I've received to this post.

The large (existing) ground wire that goes to the ground rod near the
water main entrance IS the system ground for the electrical panel!!!!!
Although the panel is on one end of the house and the water main is on
the opposite end, it appears the original installer ran 50 feet of
large gauge copper across the middle of the basement in order to
ground the electrical service entrance panel.

So, that big ole copper wire that is very accessible should make a
fine ground!

Regarding the comments by some that I should just rip out the old 2
conductor wire and install 3 conductor wire in it's place..... do keep
in mind that the basement is finished, and gaining access to all the
wires that feed the house would require a major demolition and
restoration after the new wires were run. Not very practical::
However, adding a ground wire is much more practical because the added
ground wire doesn't have to follow the path of the original 2
conductor wiring.

Again, thanks to all who commented, I'll post an update here later on.

Regards,

A