On Tue, 03 Jul 2007 08:54:53 -0700, John Larkin
wrote:

On Tue, 3 Jul 2007 00:32:33 +0000 (UTC), bz
wrote:

jakdedert wrote in
t:

bz wrote:
jakdedert wrote in news:e6yhi.8611$09.1625
@bignews8.bellsouth.net:

In some cases it was possible to easily rewired with grounded 12/2
romex from the breaker box. In others, where that was not practical,
the two-prongers were replaced with new outlets--also two prong.

These are still available and should be used if upgrading to a
properly grounded outlet is not done.



If an earth ground is not available, a GFI outlet should be installed
at the beginning of the run and 3 prong outlets along the rest of the
run.

The GFI will trip if a ground fault is present.

The outlets should be marked to indicate that a GFI is installed and
that no earth ground is present.

I believe that this is much safer than using 2 prong outlets and meets
code.



Yes it is, and I'm perfectly aware of the fact. OTOH, replacing with
original equipment is far more responsible than doing what most people
do: replacing with a three prong outlet and either leaving the ground to
float...or worse yet, bonding ground to neutral.

Eventually, all those two-blade outlets will be rewired properly, with
new circuits added. I've done about 25% of the house so far, but it's
slow going....

Understood. I spent quite a bit of time putting GFI's in a house we bought
and are renting out. It was built in the late 40's and expanded several
times, some grounded outlets were installed but grounds were missing on
several. Older parts of the house are on an aux breaker box.

Figuring out what fed what was fun.

Why don't houses come with schematics?

John

The number of complete dopes that ignore the "No User Serviceable Parts
Inside" notice and open their consumer product up anyway is already
staggering, and some of those still come with schematics.

I am sure this would cause an increase in house fires around the
nation.