Tom The Great wrote:
On 11 Oct 2006 18:40:22 -0700, "blackcat" wrote:
I have two-prong outlet(old outlet) and like to change to grounding
three-prong outlet. Since I have a lot of
appliance that require three-prong outlet. I know I can use connector
to covert to three-prong. I would
rather change the power outlet.
I got a three-prong grounding outlet from Home Depot. Some people say
that I can just wire the third wire to the metal box and
the grounding outlet, but some people consider I should not do that it
is not safe.
Should I just wire the third wire, connect between metal box and the
three-prong grounding outlet?
Thanks
Questions like this imply to me that you aren't up to speed with the
code. Have a qualified electrician check for proper grounding in the
box, or upgrade your outlets via GFCI protection.
Just curious, do you have Armored Cable [AC] also called BX wiring?
later,
tom @ www.MyFastCoolCars.com
Modern Armored cable has a bonding strip inside the armor that assures a
low impedance path through the cable's metal jacket for any fault
current that is likely to be imposed. BX cable is the original form of
that cable that was manufactured at the Bronx plant of the General
Electric Company hence the name BX. BX has devolved into a common trade
name for armored cable but the early BX does not contain a bonding strip
and is not an adequate path for equipment grounding. Testing grounding
pathways with actual loads such as light bulbs can cause arcing along
the cable jacket. Such test loads should be applied only long enough to
get a stable voltage reading with which to calculate the voltage drop in
the grounding path. If that voltage reading does not stabilize at once
remove the test load and resort to a testing device such as the Ideal
Sure Test.
The grounding pathway through unbonded BX cable can change impedance
quite rapidly in the presence of water or other corrosive influences.
--
Tom Horne
"This alternating current stuff is just a fad. It is much too dangerous
for general use." Thomas Alva Edison