In article , Nate Nagel wrote:
Doug Miller wrote:
In article , Nate Nagel
wrote:


but the receptacles installed on the first and second floor are
grounding type and it appears that the ground is provided by a jumper at
each receptacle between the ground terminal and the neutral. I realize
that *theoretically* this is functionally identical,


No, it isn't, not even theoretically. This makes it possible for the chassis
of any piece of equipment plugged into the outlet to become electrically
live,
and it's not at all safe.

It is functionally identical, so long as the neutral isn't broken.

No, it is *not*, as I just pointed out. You seem to be unaware that the
neutral wire carries current. If the ground and neutral are interconnected at
the receptacle, anyone simultaneously touching the metal chassis of any
equipment plugged into that outlet, and anything else that's grounded (e.g. a
water pipe or faucet, or simply standing on a concrete floor) makes a parallel
path to ground for the current in the neutral conductor -- and enough current
can pass through that person's body to cause a significant danger.

They
connect to the same terminal strip at the breaker box, after all.

And that is the *only* place that they are permitted by Code to be connected.
The Code _explicitly_prohibits_ interconnections anywhere else. Do you suppose
there might actually be a reason for that, or do you think they just did that
at random?

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.