On May 26, 11:20�am, wrote:
On Mon, 25 May 2009 16:42:52 -0400, Nate Nagel
wrote:

Si wrote:
we have a number of older 2 pin electrical wall sockets in our
victorian home and most of my appliances are 3 pin. can i just switch
them to 3 pin sockets? is there a problem with doing that?

depends on whether the boxes are grounded or not. �If they are, no
problem, but unless you use "self grounding" receps you have to wire the
ground terminal of the recep to a grounding screw tapped into the box.
If the boxes are NOT grounded (e.g. house wired with 2-wire NM cable)
then you have two options - 1) install a GFCI upstream of the first
recep on each circuit, and mark each recep with a sticker reading "GFCI
protected - no equipment ground" 2) run a ground wire to each box in
which you want to use a 3-prong recep. � Code allows you to do this in a
retrofit type situation; for new construction the ground wire must be

So, what you're saying is to run a separate green or bare wire from
the service panel to each outlet? �I was not aware this was legal in
any situations, even though I tend to question why not, because a
ground is a ground, whether the ground wire is part of the cable or
next to it.

Personally, I'd rather add a separate wire as a ground, than to
install grounded outlets without a ground. �May not be code, but it IS
safe, whereas using grounded outlets without a ground wire is NOT
safe.



part of the cable or in the same conduit as the H & N conductors.

good luck

nate- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

The following is UNSAFE, and can kill, espically kids and those not
healthy like the elderly....

Cutting ground pins off plugs

Installing 3 prong outlets without a ground

using 3 rong adapters that arent grounded

Installing 3 prong outlets and wiring the ground to a neutral

attempting to defeat grounding in any way

sorry anyone who advises otherwise is a idiot, its one thing for them
to put their lives at risk and far worse to put others at risk.

old wiring like K&T is often overloaded with 30 amp fuses where 15 amp
belong, and given their age frequently have less than good workmanship
on circuit additions etc. often older homes only have one outlet per
room which leads top trip and fire hazards with extension cords all
over, and sometimes under the carpet being walked on.

hey how iold is your car? 5 years perhaps 10?

your home is probably the biggest investment in your lifetime, doesnt
it deserve a rewire in 100 years?