My computer's surge protector indicates that the sockets at my house are not properly grounded. I'd like to try to ground them myself. I've heard one can do so by securing the ground wire to a water pipe. The trouble is, my water comes from a well on my property and the water pipes in my house are all constructed of PVC! Is there another way? Thanks very much!
2006-08-16 03:19:20 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
There are wrong answers here and I wish that people that do not know anything about electricity would stop answering these questions. This is a perfect example, if grounding is done improperly, your breakers will not trip and your BAD advice could seriously injur someone.
You need to install a 2-conductor circuit with a ground back to your electrical panel.
If you don't have a ground wire already connected to your electrical service properly, get a qualified electrician to hook up the ground. The finer points of proper grounding are not the simplest to understand and not the place for a DIYer.
If you need further assistance, please visit -
http://electricalblog.gilchrist-electric.com
2006-08-16 04:29:34 · answer #1 · answered by gilchristelectric 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All these other answers (edit: except gilchristelectric, we answered at the same time) are very dangerous. It is unfortunate that the safety ground (3rd pin on your receptacle) is called that. It's function has nothing to do with the ground, it just happens to be at ground potential. Connecting it to a ground rod is WRONG. It will not accomplish anything.
The ground (equipment grounding conductor) is connected to the neutral at the service (no place else) to have a low impedance in order to trip the circuit breaker. You will never get enough current flowing through the earth to trip a circuit breaker.
2006-08-16 11:29:48 · answer #2 · answered by An electrical engineer 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It"s best to have a single dedicated electrical circuit line to each computer. This prevents "dirty electricity" from interfering with proper functions. Ever run a vacuum cleaner and it messes up your tv, or radio? A 8 ft. copper ground rod driven into the ground would work( as mentioned)but, this is starting to "rig" things up. When working with electricity==you generally get only one chance== don"t "try" if you don"t know what you are doing. That"s the best advise I have for you. Good Luck
2006-08-16 10:54:47 · answer #3 · answered by Spock 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
if your interested in just grounding that one oulet you, could pound a grounding rod in the ground outside your house but close to that oulet, and run a wire outside somehow. then you may not have to go all the way to the well pump, you would have to talk to someone to make sure it is safe, and if it is, find out all the detail like, how long the rod should be etc. i dont know if that is code but its an idea.
2006-08-16 10:28:47 · answer #4 · answered by wiggum 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Get a 8 foot ground rod drive in next to your metering box attach a copper wire of size to your ground buse in the breaker panel, a electrician will be glad to do it for you.
2006-08-16 10:27:05 · answer #5 · answered by edgarrrw 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
READ 2005 NEC CODE BOOK SEE SECTION 250.130 (C) FOR 5 WAYS TO INSTALL A GROUNDING WIRE.
2006-08-18 22:09:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋