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David Jensen
 
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Default replacing old non-grounded (2 prong) electric receptacles

The thing that still confuses me with the statement, "A neutral
carries current, a ground does not" is that both the neutral and the
ground tie into the same grounding block inside the panel. To this
laymen's mind it seems that they would be carrying the same current
since they are tied together at the panel. In other words, if they
tie together at the panel, what's the difference in tying them
together at the receptacal? What am I not understanding here?

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

David


"Joseph Meehan" wrote in message ...
A neutral carries current, a ground does not. Many grounded devices
attach the outside of the case to the ground. Touch the devices case and a
good ground means you are in the grounding path and if there happens to be a
fault or a little resistance in the neutral circuit, you become part of the
circuit. Not good.

--
Joseph E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math


"David Jensen" wrote in message
om...
Can you please elaborate and help me understand why it is dangerous?
I'm not questioning you, I just want to understand.

Thanks.

David

"Joseph Meehan" wrote in message

...
Don't do it!! It is dangerous, big time.

If you want better looking outlets, just buy new non-grounded ones.

I
believe you can still get them, but not at Kmart.

--
Joseph E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math


"David Jensen" wrote in message
om...
I have a 50 year old house that I am remodeling. It has the old
2-prong style (non-grounded) receptacles. From what I understand, the
code will not technically allow it, but, is there any reason why I
shouldn't use the regular grounded receptacles to replace the old two
prong? The old ones have been painted over several times and I'm
thinking it will look nice to replace them. An electrician tells me
that the neutral wire can be daisy chained to the ground screw so that
we don't need to run a new ground wire. Is there any harm or problem
or reason why I would not want to do that? You can buy the old
2-prong style, but they are expensive. I was told that you can also
put a GFI at every position, but that is even more expensive.

Thank you very much for your thoughts on this matter.

David