How do I convert an old style outlet into a grounded one?

Question

This about sums up all my problems:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/sr111/help.jpg
I will buy a grounded outlet but how do I set it up correctly?

Answer 1

Depends on what kind of wiring you have. If you have armored cable you can just swap the plug. Wire the black and white to the receptacle and leave the ground off. That's what I did at my house.

Armored cable has two wires inside a metal sheath. The metal sheath serves as the ground and it runs all the way back to the fuse panel. Of course all the boxes on the circuit must be metal so the ground 'wire' is continuous. When you are done test it with one of these.

http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/homemaintenance/electrical/outlettest.php

They are inexpensive and will tell you if you have an open ground or other problems.

Answer 2

You have to have a separate ground wire.If plumbing is nearby,put a ground clamp on the cold water pipe and run a bare copper wire to your receptacle.Use a GFCI outlet--follow instructions--It's not ok to just hook them up around the house without that wire,as the next person will assume it's done correctly.

Answer 3

Again, good answers so far. Just don't forget to turn off the power before trying to change the outlet.

Answer 4

good answers allready, only thing to add is check circuit breaker or fuse to see what size receptacle you need 15 or 20 amp

Answer 5

It is a fairly simple procedure and here is a link that will help you do this for yourself

http://homerepair.about.com/b/a/256463.htm