Outlet Receptacle
Grounded or Not Grounded, what do we do with old outlets?
Grounded (3 Prong) -VS-
Non-Grounded (2 Prong) Receptacles.
Anyone who has ever worked on or lived in a home that was built before the Mid 1960′s has seen them, the old “2 prong” non-grounded receptacles.
How many of them have you changed out with new “3 Prong” grounded receptacles in order to accommodate a new appliance or computer?
How many times have you failed a Mechanical inspection due to a receptacle with an “Open Ground”
So what’s the big deal anyway?
An equipment grounding conductor installed in an electrical branch circuit is designed to provide a continuous path to facilitate the movement of electrical current caused by surges and or faults - to earth via the homes grounding system.
If an appliance that has damaged wiring is plugged into a supposed “Grounded” (3 Prong) receptacle, instead following the assumed grounding path back to earth, fault or surge currents could be passed through the user.
By installing a “Grounded” (3 Prong) receptacle on an un-grounded electrical branch circuit, you may facilitate the use an appliance that under the right circumstances could cause serious injury or death to an unsuspecting user.
Since most homes that were built before the Mid 1960′s were wired using an un-grounded electrical system, the use of “2 prong” non-grounded receptacles was all that was required.
Changes to the National Electric Code that started requiring the use of an equipment grounding conductor in all branch circuits and the introduction of sensitive electronic devices into our homes over the last40 years, have driven the need to install Grounded type (3 Prong) receptacles to accommodate the way we live today.
So what’s the right way to do this?
How do you update the outlets in your home, without creating a potential electrocution hazard?
We all know that rewiring an entire home can be very expensive and can potentially cause severe secondary damage to the homes finish.
Fortunately the National Electric Code affords us a few less drastic options.
Article 406 of the 2008 NEC says that only where connection to an equipment grounding conductor is possible shall a Grounded (3 Prong) receptacle be installed, unless one of the following replacement methods are used.
1) A non-grounded (2 Prong) receptacle shall be allowed to be replaced with a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) receptacle. These receptacles shall be marked ” No Equipment Ground”. This marking is usually done by use of a small sticker placed on the receptacle cover plate.
2) A non-grounded (2 Prong) receptacle shall be allowed to be replaced with a grounded (3 Prong) receptacle, where supplied through a GFCI device. These receptacles shall be marked as ” No Equipment Ground” and “GFCI Protected”. Again this is usually done by use of small stickers placed on the receptacle cover plate.
A GFCI device may be either a circuit breaker or receptacle. GFCI Devices are designed with an internal circuit that measures the amount of electrical current returning on the white- grounded circuit conductor ( or what is often referred to as the “Neutral”), as compared to the amount of current being drawn from the device on the black- ungrounded circuit conductor ( “Hot”). If the amount of current returning varies by more than the amount allowable by safety standards then the GFCI will open, thus cutting the flow of current through the circuit.
It is important to note when employing the use of GFCI protection as outlined in option #2 above, protection may be achieved through the use of either a GFCI receptacle, or a GFCI Breaker.
Depending on the type of electrical service in the home, Fuses or Breakers and the wiring method used when the home was initially wired, it is often more cost effective to install GFCI breakers to protect the entire circuit than it is to spend several hours of labor trying to separate out individual devices for protection.
One thing to keep in mind any time you are installing a GFCI device of any kind, is that the contents of refrigerators and chest freezer can be lost if plugged into a GFCI protected receptacle that trips and is not reset before the contents thaw.
As always every home is different, as is every wiring system. You should always consult a licensed Master Electrician before starting any electrical project.
About the Author
Article Provided by Bill Vaughn, Accessible Electric Inc., Serving the KC Metro Area since 1995, (913)-915-0838. Member of Mid-America Association of Real Estate Investors – www.MAREInet.com
|
|
New Satin Nickel Single Receptacle Wall Switch Plates Outlet Plate $0.99 |
|
|
10pc 15amp 125v Decoro Outlet Duplex Receptacle – White $0.99 |
|
|
10pc 15amp 125v Decoro Outlet Duplex Receptacle – White $0.99 |
|
|
Lot of Switches Outlets GFCI Covers Receptacles Ivory Off-White 2-way 3-way $0.99 |
|
|
Eagle 1107W-Box 15A-125V Decorator Duplex Grounding Receptacle Outlet $0.99 |
|
|
Decorative decora duplex outlet plug receptacle $0.99 |
|
|
Leviton Brown Duplex Receptacle Outlet 15A NEMA 5-15 1215 $1.00 |
|
|
Leviton White Range Outlet Dryer Receptacle Wallplate $1.00 |
|
|
3 Leviton UNBREAKABLE White Receptacle Outlet Covers $1.00 |
|
|
Lot 3 NEW Leviton LARGE Ivory Receptacle Outlet Covers $1.00 |
|
|
Lot 2 White UNBREAKABLE 2-Gang Receptacle Outlet Covers $1.00 |
|
|
Leviton 30A-125/250V ISOLATED GROUND Receptacle Outlet $1.00 |
|
|
Lot 3 White 1.406″ Outlet Covers Receptacle Wallplates $1.00 |
|
|
Leviton Ivory Range Outlet Dryer Receptacle Wallplate $1.00 |
|
|
Orange 2-Gang ISOLATED GROUND Receptacle Outlet Cover $1.00 |
|
|
Leviton Ivory Duplex Receptacle Outlet 15 Amp 5320-I $1.00 |
|
|
Pass & Seymour Jumbo Receptacle 1 Gang Unbreakable Outlet Wall Plate TPJ8-W $1.00 |
|
|
Hubbell Outlet Receptacle Duplex $1.00 |
|
|
Lot 3 Ivory 1.406″ Outlet Covers Receptacle Wallplates $1.00 |
|
|
Hubbell Duplex Receptacle 15A 125V Ivory Outlet Plug $1.00 |
|
|
3 Leviton UNBREAKABLE Brown Receptacle Outlet Covers $1.00 |
|
|
Leviton Ivory Duplex Receptacle Outlet 15A 5320-I $1.00 |
|
|
PASS & SEYMOUR 125 VOLT DUPLEX RECEPTACLE OUTLET CR15 $1.00 |
|
|
3 Leviton UNBREAKABLE Almond Receptacle Outlet Covers $1.00 |
|
|
Leviton Lt Almond Receptacle Outlet 15 Amp 5320-ST $1.00 |
|
|
Leviton Almond Duplex Receptacle Outlet 15 Amp 5320-A $1.00 |
|
|
Leviton Brown Duplex Receptacle Outlet 15 Amp 5320 $1.00 |
|
|
Leviton Brown Duplex Receptacle Outlet 15 Amp 15A 5320 $1.00 |
|
|
Leviton White Duplex Receptacle Outlet 15 Amp 5320-W $1.00 |
|
|
Leviton Ivory JUMBO Receptacle Wallplate Outlet Cover $1.00 |
|
|
Leviton Almond JUMBO Receptacle Wallplate Outlet Cover $1.00 |
|
|
2 Brown 2-Gang Outlet Covers Receptacle Wallplates $1.00 |
|
|
Pass & Seymour Brown Receptacle Outlet 15A Trademaster 3232 $1.00 |
|
|
Leviton Ivory Duplex Receptacle Outlet 15A 5248-I $1.00 |
|
|
3 Leviton UNBREAKABLE BLUE Receptacle Outlet Covers $1.00 |
|
|
2 Leviton Brown DEEP Receptacle Cover Outlet Wallplates $1.00 |
|
|
Pass & Seymour 3232LA 15a 125v Almond Receptacle Outlet $1.00 |
|
|
Cooper Wiring Almond Outlet Duplex Receptacle 15A 270A $1.00 |
|
|
Cooper Wiring White Outlet Duplex Receptacle 15A 270W $1.00 |
|
|
Cooper Wiring Ivory Outlet Duplex Receptacle 15A 270V $1.00 |
|
|
Cooper Wiring Brown Outlet Duplex Receptacle 15A 270B $1.00 |
|
|
Leviton Almond Duplex Receptacle Outlet 15 Amp 15A $1.00 |
|
|
2 ORANGE UNBREAKABLE 2-Gang Receptacle Outlet Covers $1.00 |
|
|
Lot 3 Almond 1.406″ Outlet Covers Receptacle Wallplates $1.00 |
|
|
Lot 3 Brown 1.406″ Outlet Covers Receptacle Wallplates $1.00 |
|
|
Lot 2 Brown UNBREAKABLE 2-Gang Receptacle Outlet Covers $1.00 |
|
|
Lot 2 BLUE UNBREAKABLE 2-Gang Outlet Receptacle Covers $1.00 |
|
|
2 Almond 2-Gang Outlet Covers Receptacle Wallplates $1.00 |
|
|
2 White 2-Gang Outlet Covers Receptacle Wallplates $1.00 |
|
|
Lot 3 NEW Leviton LARGE Almond Receptacle Outlet Covers $1.00 |
|
|
Lot 2 Ivory UNBREAKABLE 2-Gang Receptacle Outlet Covers $1.00 |
|
|
2 Ivory 2-Gang Outlet Covers Receptacle Wallplates $1.00 |
|
|
Leviton White OVERSIZE Receptacle Wallplate Duplex Outlet Cover 88103-W $1.00 |
|
|
Leviton White Duplex Receptacle Outlet 15A 5248-W $1.00 |
|
|
ALMOND DECORA DUPLEX OUTLET RECEPTACLE GROUNDED PLUGS – WORK FINE !!!! !!!!!!!!! $1.00 |
|
|
P&S Ivory Receptacle Outlet 15A Trademaster 3232-I $1.00 |
|
|
Leviton Gray Outlet Cover Receptacle Wallplate 2.465″ $1.00 |
|
|
3 Leviton UNBREAKABLE Gray Receptacle Outlet Covers $1.00 |
|
|
3 Leviton UNBREAKABLE Ivory Receptacle Outlet Covers $1.00 |
|
|
Black Range Outlet Dryer Receptacle Wallplate 2.15″ $1.00 |
|
|
Lot 3 Black 1.406″ Outlet Covers Receptacle Wallplates $1.00 |
|
|
Dryer Range Receptacle Wall Plate Outlet Cover 2.15″ $1.00 |
|
|
Cooper Wiring Brown Outlet Receptacle 15A 270B $1.00 |
|
|
Lot 2 Gray UNBREAKABLE 2-Gang Receptacle Outlet Covers $1.00 |
|
|
3 Leviton White MIDWAY Receptacle Wallplates Duplex Outlet Covers 80503-W $1.00 |
|
|
Ivory 1.60″ Receptacle Wallplate Locking Outlet Cover $1.09 |
|
|
COOPER CR15B Duplex Receptacle / Outlet ! NEW ! $1.09 |
|
|
Black 1.60″ Receptacle Wallplate Locking Outlet Cover $1.09 |
|
|
2 gang single outlet receptacle wall plate, ivory $1.13 |
|
|
2 gang single outlet receptacle wall plate, white $1.13 |
|
|
2 gang single outlet receptacle wall plate, brown $1.13 |
|
|
2 gang single outlet receptacle wall plate, almond $1.13 |
|
|
5 Leviton White Outlet Covers Duplex Receptacle Wallplates 88003 $1.15 |
|
|
5 Leviton Brown Outlet Covers Duplex Receptacle Wallplates 85003 $1.15 |
|
|
5 Leviton Ivory Outlet Cover Receptacle Wallplates $1.15 |
|
|
5 Leviton Almond Outlet Cover Receptacle Wallplates $1.15 |
|
|
3 Leviton Red LARGE Unbreakable Receptacle Wallplates Nylon Outlet Covers PJ8-R $1.17 |
|
|
Leviton White COMMERCIAL Outlet Receptacle 15 Amp $1.19 |
|
|
Plain White Single Outlet Plate Receptacle Socket Cover Wall Decor Replacement $1.19 |
|
|
Leviton White Snap-In Receptacle 3-Prong Outlet 15A 125V NEMA 5-15R 1374-W $1.19 |
|
|
Leviton Almond COMMERCIAL Outlet Receptacle 15 Amp $1.19 |
|
|
Leviton Brown COMMERCIAL Outlet Receptacle 15 Amp $1.19 |
|
|
NEW Leviton Brown COMMERCIAL Outlet Duplex Receptacle $1.19 |
|
|
Eagle Electric Brown COMMERCIAL Receptacle Outlet 15A 817B $1.19 |
|
|
Leviton Ivory COMMERCIAL Outlet Receptacle 15 Amp $1.19 |
|
|
Leviton Almond COMMERCIAL Outlet Duplex Receptacle 15A $1.19 |
|
|
Leviton Brown COMMERCIAL Outlet Receptacle Duplex 15A $1.19 |
|
|
P&S Brown COMMERCIAL Receptacle Outlet Duplex 15A $1.19 |
|
|
P&S Lt Almond COMMERCIAL Receptacle Outlet Duplex 15A $1.19 |
|
|
Cooper Electric Brown COMMERCIAL Receptacle Outlet 15A 827B $1.19 |
|
|
Leviton White Snap-In Receptacle 3-Prong Outlet 15A 125V NEMA 5-15R 1374-1W $1.19 |
|
|
Arrow Hart Brown COMMERCIAL Outlet Receptacle Duplex $1.19 |
|
|
NEW Leviton White COMMERCIAL Outlet Receptacle 15 Amp $1.19 |
|
|
Leviton Ivory COMMERCIAL Outlet Duplex Receptacle 15A $1.19 |
|
|
NEW Leviton Brown COMMERCIAL Outlet Receptacle Duplex $1.24 |
|
|
Leviton Brown Duplex Receptacle Outlet 15A 125V R320 $1.24 |
|
|
Leviton White Duplex Receptacle Outlet 15A 125V R320-W $1.24 |
|
|
120V DUPLEX RECEPTACLE OUTLET PLUG 15 / 20 A AMP WHITE $1.29 |
|
|
2 White 1.406″ LARGE Outlet Cover Receptacle Wallplates $1.30 |
|
|
2 Lt Almond 1.41″ LARGE Outlet Receptacle Wallplates $1.30 |
|
|
Composting Bucket for Kitchen Countertops $7.19 BIB-958160 Features: -Compost bucket.-Ventilated to control odor.-Can be use on countertop or under the kitchen sink. Construction: -Plastic construction. Color/Finish: -Green color. Dimensions: -Overall dimensions: 10” H x 6” W x 9” D…. |
|
|
Woods 50009 Indoor 7-Day Heavy Duty Digital Outlet Timer with 2-Outlets $11.75 This timer has it all when it comes to convenience and ease of use around your home. Specially designed to be used with heavy duty appliances such as heaters, portable air conditioners and cooling fans, it can also be set to turn lamps, radios, and other appliances On and Off. features include accurate, to the minute digital setting, a sleep countdown function (great for turning Off lamps after yo… |
|
|
Timex Electronic 7 Day Timer $9.50 Program your lights or portable heater to turn on automatically at specific times with the Digital Programmable Receptacle Timer an attractive timer switch that can control heavy-duty loads up to 15 amps. Easily record up to 20 programs the timer can stor… |
|
|
DynexTM – 6-Outlet Wall-Mount Surge Protector DX-6OUT $9.95 6-outlet swivel surge protector… |
|
|
Belkin Mini Surge Protector Dual USB Charger $12.99 Protect your electronic devices while traveling…. |
|
|
Belkin Pivot-Plug Surge Protectors $26.99 Features a rotating outlet design that gives you much more convenience and flexibility in placing your plugged-in devices than traditional products Belkin Pivot Plug Surge Protectors provide premium power protection for your professional workstations and connected devices. It’s rotating outlet design gives you much more convenience and flexibility in placing your plugged-in devices than traditiona… |
|
|
Belkin Conserve Socket F7C009q Energy-Saving Outlet $9.66 Conserve Socket Power Timer. Many of the electronics and appliances around your home use electricity even when they’re not in use wasting energy and driving up your electric bill. The Conserve Socket Power Timer automatically shuts off power (including standby power) to your electronics and appliances after a time interval you select to help you save energy. Choose between three settings: 30 minut… |
|
|
First Alert PIR725 Compact Fluorescent Bulb Compatible Motion Sensing Socket $18.81 HANDS-FREE LIGHT AUTOMATICALLY TURNS LIGHT ON WHEN ENTERING & OFF AFTER EXITING THE ROOM INSTALLS INTO EXISTING LIGHT SOCKETSENSES MOVEMENT IN ALL DIRECTIONS IN DAY & NIGHTTIME CONDITIONS360 /12-FT RADIUSCOMPATIBLE WITH INCANDESCENT & FLUORESCENT BULBS IDEAL FOR USE IN LAUNDRY ROOM GARAGE BASEMENT ATTIC STAIRWAYS UTILITY ROOMS & WALK-IN CLOSETSUPC : 029054001115Shipping Dimensions : 8.00in X 6.10i… |
|
|
Westek SLC6CFL 100W Programmable Screw-In Light Control, White $5.30 Adds safety security and convenience. Programmable off-timer from 2,5,8 hours random off timer deters intruders. Contact plunger allows adjustment of sensor window direction for optimum performance. Works with incandescent and compact fluorescent bulb. Digital microprocessor for full brightness and no flicker operation. Turn lights on at dusk and off at programmed time…. |
|
|
Durofix RL435 Li-Ion 4V Plug-in Power Outage LED Light, 2-Pack $36.95 Be ready when a power failure occurs! As soon as the power cuts out this Emergency Light will automatically power on its 24 powerful LEDs (600 Candlepower) and stay on continuously as long as 8-Hours. Plugs into any standard outlet Unit have a Three-mode switch: All LEDs On, Half LEDs On, Power Off Charging Time: 8-12 hours Weight: 185g Input Voltage: 120V AC… |
