Adding lights...electrical help...quick question.?

Question

I have a non-grounded wiring in the house and want to add some can lights in the ceiling. Do I just leave the ground wire alone or do I need to ground it somehow? The wires in the switch that I am expanding from a double gang to a triple gang box has black and white wires only. Thanks ahead.

Answer 1

depending on what type of cable was used to wire you house the boxes may be grounded. if they used BX or armored cable all you need to do is connect the ground to the box and all will be well. an easy way to check is to take a voltage tester and check from the hot side of an outlet to the center screw that holds the cover plate on. if you show voltage you have a ground. lacking any ground you could run a seperate wire back to the panel or to a metal water pipe. whichever you do check for a good ground with a meter.

Answer 2

The main reason for the ground is safety. If you happen to have a short in the light (not unusual) and the housing becomes energized, the breaker will not trip.
If now you or someone else goes up to change the light bulb and happen to be touching something grounded while changing the bulb, you can get electrocuted.
I know it's difficult to spend money on preventative things, but I would strongly advise you to somehow get the circuit grounded.
In the worst case scenario, install a GFCI on the circuit. This will cut off the power to the light if it senses someone getting zapped.
Good luck.

Answer 3

Some people say if you have a metal box for the light, ground the light to a screw in the box, should be a threaded hole to use. Also ground the switch to the box that the switch is mounted in.

Answer 4

Ground it somewhere. You might be risking a fire if you don't.
Piping works best and has far less potential for a fire than other methods. You can get a grounding attachment with screws so that even if the piping shakes or wires move the grounding will remain.