Why do I keep getting OPEN GROUND in my outlets?

Question

I grounded the outlet to the metal box and to its own green screw. I check my panel and the groud bar is grounded to a water pipe. When I test the outlet I get OPEN GROUND. Why? How can I solve that?

Answer 1

For this to work the box must be grounded. Does the wire coming into the box have a ground wire, or perhaps is metal armored? If not, you should replace it with one that has a proper ground. (12 awg for 20 amp circuits, 14 awg for 15 amps.)

Answer 2

I am not an electrician and you can get a nasty shock doing this kind of work, even kill yourself in the worst case. However..... If it is an old house and you only have a hot and neutral there is no ground wire going to your outlet and the box might just be nailed into the stud which would not provide a ground. If it is new 3 wire construction then there will be green ground wire, but I suppose if that was there you wouldn't be asking. The safest thing to do now adays is to install aground fault interrupt outlet. even without a ground! check your local codes but even without a ground you can get electrocution protection. Read the instructions on the GFI outlet for proper connections and labeling

Answer 3

Your water pipe is not your ground, you must have a ground rod, usually outside close to the panel. The reason the ground bar is connected to the water lines is so the copper is bonded for protection. My guess is that the receptacles you are testing are on a circuit that has break in the ground and it is probably wired using romex wire not metal clad. You first of all need to find out the receptacles that are on that circuit and take them apart and check that the copper ground wire is either attached to the box and the box is grounded to the receptacle, if you are unsure call an electrician.

Answer 4

I'll bet the metal box is not grounded. Do you have the bare copper wire with the black and white ones? What kind of cable is coming to the box? Is it greenfield, (flexible metallic conduit) or romex NM? You may want to find an electrician and get these things grounded. OR you may find it quite shocking!!! A little electrician humor. Sorry

Answer 5

there is probably corrosion between the the water pipe and the grounding clamp. go to electric supply and get a grounding rod,drive it 4 feet into the ground and make a clean and tight connection with the grounding clamp.

Answer 6

Surge Protectors A surge protector plugged into an ungrounded outlet won't perform because of the fact the producer meant. whilst a extensive surge or spike hits, the surge protector makes use of the floor twine to take the "hit" far off from the secure kit and deliver it thoroughly to floor. If the surge or spike isn't despatched to floor by skill of the surge protector it particularly is going to break the comfortable electronics you have been attempting to guard. the guarantee presented by skill of the surge protectors producer furnish, is in simple terms valid if the surge protector is utilized in a surprising grounded outlet.

Answer 7

IS THERE A GROUND WIRE IN THE WIRE GOING TO THE BOX? OR IS THERE ONLY THE WHITE AND BLACK WIRE? IF THERE IS ONLY WHITE AND BLACK WIRE THE YOU HAVE TO RUN GROUND WIRE TO EACH BOX TO GET THE PROPER GROUNDING

Answer 8

you need a ground wire