So far, the only problem I've noticed is that the glass part of my computer monitor is slightly electric. Not enough to hurt, but it clearly tickles. Any cheap suggestions would be nice, especially as I'm sure the landlord doesn't want to rewire the whole house.
2007-02-11 08:04:11 · 12 answers · asked by Doctor Biobrain 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
There are three ways you can change a 2-prong receptacle (ungrounded) to a 3-prong receptacle (grounded): The National Electrical Code article 406.3(D)(3) states “Where grounding means does not exist in the receptacle enclosure, the installation shall comply with (a), (b) or (c).
(a) A nongrounding-type receptacle(s) shall be permitted to be replaced with another nongrounding-type receptacle(s).
(b) A nongrounding-type receptacle(s) shall be permitted to be replaced with a ground-fault circuit interrupter-type of receptacle(s). These receptacles shall be marked “No Equipment Ground.” An equipment grounding conductor shall not be connected from the ground-fault circuit-interrupter-type receptacle to any outlet supplied from the ground-fault circuit-interrupter receptacle.
(c) A nongrounding-type receptacle(s) shall be permitted to be replaced with a grounding-type receptacle(s) where supplied through a ground-fault circuit interrupter. Grounding-type receptacles supplied through the ground-fault circuit-interrupter shall be marked “GFCI Protected” and “No Equipment Ground.” An equipment grounding conductor shall not be connected between the grounding-type receptacles.”
The third way is to rewire the receptacle to include a ground wire.
If you need further assistance, please visit:
http://electricalblog.gilchrist-electric.com
2007-02-11 08:09:22 · answer #1 · answered by gilchristelectric 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It could be that you have the old style two-pronged electrical outlets. That doesn't necessarily mean that there are no grounds at the electrical box, or that you will need to re-wire the entire house.
If the wiring in the house is the old knob & tube style then yes the whole house would need to be re-wired so that things were brought up to code.
But if you have newer wiring than the knob, & tube type then there is a chance that the outlets can be changed from 2 prong to the newer 3-prong grounded outlets.
I would start by turning off the breaker to one of the circuits that has an outlet that you want to change. Once the circuit is dead, then open up one of the outlets, & pull the outlet out of the wall box so you can look back inside.
You will see a white wire, & a black wire connected to your 2-prong outlet. If you see a bare copper wire connected to a terminal screw at the back or side of the box, then you are in business. All you need to do is replace the 2-prong outlet with a 3-prong outlet. Connect the white wire to the side of the outlet that has the larger slot on the front, & connect the black wire to the side of the outlet that has the smaller slot for the plug on the front. Now for the ground, if there is enough (min 6") of the bare copper wire in the box that you can still leave it attached to the terminal in the box, & then connect it to the green terminal on the new outlet, then you are good to go. If there isn't enough wire to do that, then buy some 12 AWG wire with a green insulation on it & attach that between the green terminal on the outlet, & the ground terminal of the box with the original ground wire also attached. Close it all back up flip on the breaker, & you are done.
I estimate the whole project to come to less than $5.00 per outlet & no, once you have done one you don't have to do them all unless that is just the kind of person you are.
Just whatever you do, don't install a 3-pronged outlet in a place where there is no actual ground attached to the green terminal of that outlet.
Good Luck, & be safe.
2007-02-11 08:34:12 · answer #2 · answered by No More 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It are many variables that will effect the cost. I had my whole house rewired and upgraded 200amp service and it was $5,000. I have a 1940's house also in the south. I do have a crawl space that is pretty tall so working under the house isn't that bad. It's probably not cost effective to just add a ground wire because you are mostly paying for labor and you might as well just run new romex. I don't know the age of your house but if they used galvanized metal conduit this can be your ground and they just need to ground the outlets to the box and conduit. The best thing to do is get some bids, 3 or 4. I had some bids as high as $10,000, and being a woman they always seem to think you don't no Jack about this stuff.
2016-05-23 22:12:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I rented in an old house for several years that had ungrounded wiring. In my computer room I ran a green insulated ground wire to a cold water pipe in the bathroom around the corner and back to the outlet which I replaced with a 3 prong grounded outlet. I could have used an adaptor and attached the wire to the ground on that, but the outlet was much more secure to plug into. The ground wire was plainly visible along the baseboard. I tested the outlet with a grounding tester available at Radio Shack and some hardware stores (3 lights show reversed connections, etc.)
It is very important to have a ground for computer equipment as static can zap it, but the static on the monitor will probably not be helped as it is generated by the electron beam inside.
2007-02-18 18:10:52 · answer #4 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even the best of grounding systems won't take the static off the face of your monitor or TV. This is NO problem. A ground wire and the neutral in a grounded system is merely a redundancy. The green wire is there to act as a safe path for power to travel on in a fault state or to equalize the elec potential between 2 or more metal cases so people don't get shocked when touching both at once. On occasion with a computer system a ground will allow for bad harmonics from motors elswhere in the elec system to cause interference on the computer. So what i'm trying to say is you are fine, save your money, and unplug your computer in a lightening storm!
2007-02-11 08:40:23 · answer #5 · answered by NubbY 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can call a Electric they give free esteem make sure to ask them because all of them don't you can also call some one to come out and see if you and your family are in safe keeping a problem like that should not go notice think what's important your life or what you think your landlord will do you can always find another place but you cannot place your life good luck
2007-02-19 08:08:12 · answer #6 · answered by marsha w 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A cheap way to go is buy and adapter with 2 prongs and a flat prong with a ring. It plugs into the 2 prong that you have, and the flat ring prong going down screws into the face-plate holding screw. Computer monitor has estatic electricity which has nothing to do with the grounding.
2007-02-11 08:44:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
buy an adapter that plugs into the 2 prong (make sure you screw the adapter to the outlet with the plate screw) that you can use for a three prong. Around $1.
2007-02-11 08:20:57 · answer #8 · answered by 1TON 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My house is old and does not have a ground too. I installed a ground rod and ran a ground to my computer and to my outside outlets. This is not difficult nor expensive.
2007-02-12 04:09:37 · answer #9 · answered by big_mustache 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Big problem.
A static discharge can damage your electronics.
Tell you landlord it's unsafe and let him pay an electrician to ground the system.
You definately need a ground.
2007-02-12 03:47:44 · answer #10 · answered by TheElectrician 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋