2007-03-05 17:06:07 · 14 answers · asked by scott9375 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
There are three ways you can change a 2-prong receptacle (ungrounded) to a 3-prong receptacle (grounded): The National Electrical Code section 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. You need to run the ground wire to the equipment grounding terminal bar within the electrical service box on the outside of your house or in your breaker box.
You are also permitted to run a ground wire to any accessible point on the grounding electrode conductor. The grounding electrode conductor in a house is the wire that attaches to either an 8′ ground rod, within 5′ of the water meter or to a concrete encased electrode (ufer ground).
If you need further assistance, please visit:
http://electricalblog.gilchrist-electric.com
2007-03-06 07:52:14 · answer #1 · answered by gilchristelectric 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
According to the National Electric Code, You are legally only permitted to replace "two prong receptacles" with "two prong receptacles" The only code that allows you to lable something as no equipment ground is when you replace a standard outlet with a GFCI in a two wire residental system. You should just go purchase the two prong receptacles instead of making the other ones work. If you ever go to sell your home, and you have three prong outlets installed on a two wire system, the home inspector will write them up, and it could have potental buyers questioning the condition of the electrical system. You can buy replacement two prong outlets at nearly any electrical supply store.
2016-03-29 01:36:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes as long as you have a ground wire running into the box. If not there is no point putting a 3 prong plug in there unless you run new wire.
2007-03-07 03:38:09 · answer #3 · answered by JDW 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes. usually the outlet box is grounded along with all the conduit
The new outlets are grounded already, and should work no problem. To see if your properly grounded, you will need a voltage meter of some sort with a continuity tester. When you install the new outlet check the ground prong on outlet to the outlet box and you should 100% continuity.
2007-03-05 18:08:50 · answer #4 · answered by ozzievega 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes but it will not be grounded. The whole point of the 3 prong outlet is that it is grounded.
2007-03-05 22:34:55 · answer #5 · answered by daddyspanksalot 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can if you have a grounded metal box. With a voltage tester check from the black (hot wire) to the box if you get a reading the box is grounded and is good to go if not you can put in a GFCI outlet in its place which is a good idea and you are suppose to d when there is no ground and replacing a outlet
2007-03-06 12:30:36 · answer #6 · answered by brndnh721 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but only if the outlet box is metal and is connected with armored cable, or has a three wire feed inside the box, green for ground. Otherwise you aren't really grounding the outlet.
2007-03-05 17:13:14 · answer #7 · answered by Jolly 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the question should be, what's behind the outlet? a metal box? Is the box grounded? Is there a ground wire (green or bare) in the box? Is this an old old old house? Is it a do-it-yourself job?
2007-03-06 02:57:57 · answer #8 · answered by zocko 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can. 3 prong being ground, if you have a ground wire present it will be no problem.
2007-03-05 17:14:32 · answer #9 · answered by edj009 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the only correct answer is yes but only with a gfi recpt under the nec they allow that as a replacement
because you probably have no ground and for a recpt to work without a ground a gfis the only way the gfi measures the diffence in potential between the hot and neutral conductors and grounded or not it will trip if the two wires are in danger and save your house the risk of fire
2007-03-05 23:02:51 · answer #10 · answered by k_dearinger 1 · 4⤊ 1⤋