replacing 2 prong recpticle

[dtt454]

okay i was thinking this would be an easy question that must have been answered a hundred times, but i dont find it when i search.

so my house was built in 1954 and an old 2 prong outlet finally burned up the contacts i guess from having things plugged in and out so many times you would have to wiggle the cord to get anything to work..... so even though im not a pro at electrical stuff, i have some common sense, and i figure changing an outlet is easy enough. but all the replacement outlets i can find have a ground of course. so my question, im guessing its not legal to hook it up same as the first one and just not hook up the ground slot. so what do i do for a ground? the wires come in through the attic and drop down for the wall plug.

 

[Norcal]

This is a copy & paste from the 2008 NEC: 406.3(D) (3)

(3) Non–Grounding-Type Receptacles. Where attachment
to an equipment grounding conductor does not exist
in the receptacle enclosure, the installation shall comply
with (D)(3)(a), (D)(3)(b), or (D)(3)(c).
(a) A non–grounding-type receptacle(s) shall be permitted
to be replaced with another non–grounding-type receptacle(
s).
(b) A non–grounding-type receptacle(s) shall be permitted
to be replaced with a ground-fault circuit interruptertype
of receptacle(s). These receptacles shall be marked
“No Equipment Ground.” An equipment grounding conductor
shall not be connected from the ground-fault circuitinterrupter-
type receptacle to any outlet supplied from the
ground-fault circuit-interrupter receptacle.
(c) A non–grounding-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 groundfault
circuit interrupter shall be marked “GFCI Protected”
and “No Equipment Ground.” An equipment grounding
conductor shall not be connected between the groundingtype
receptacles.

 

[Stuart in MN]

You can still get non-grounded receptacles although the local store may not carry them. Using a GFCI is probably the easiest and best solution, outside of running new wire.

 

[cowboyjosh]

I have seen non grounded outlets at the big box stores as well as True Value and Ace Hardware; you might have to ask the help in locating them. You might also GOOGLE and find one. Otherwise like Stuart in MN said, otherwise use a GFCI and make sure to apply the sticker that comes with the GFCI that says "no equipment ground".

 

[dtt454]

great, i figured someone people here would know, i think ill do the gfci route just because i like those better anyways. although i guess i should make sure there is no other grounded outlets on the same circuit if i read that correctly. which i dont think there is, but its easy enough to look.

 

[Falcon67]

I just bought a non-grounding receptacle at Lowes. There is one left in our old house (selling) and the wire is trapped in the wall. Rather than fish new from a almost-cant-get-to attic space, I'm just putting in a fresh white one so it matches the other outlet colors. The new owners can deal with it if they like. The house was built in 1926, so its nowhere near code for outlet counts along walls anyway.

 

[sberry]

great, i figured someone people here would know, i think ill do the gfci route just because i like those better anyways. although i guess i should make sure there is no other grounded outlets on the same circuit if i read that correctly. which i dont think there is, but its easy enough to look.

Its obvious there are not grounded outlets, its only 2 wire. What that means though is when installing gfci on 2 wire don't connect ground wire from it to other outlets.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Its obvious there are not grounded outlets, its only 2 wire.

Not necessarily so !

Some house built in that "era" actually had ground wires (typically attached to the back of the metal box and clipped short), even though they used 2 prong outlets. The only way you can tell for certain is to pull the outlet out and look !

If the ground is there, you can install a 3 prong outlet. You should DOUBLE CHECK check with an outlet tester.

EVERY HOMEOWNER SHOULD OWN AN OUTLET TESTER. They are cheap and an easy method of "double checking" your work.


Also, if the ground wire is attached to the back of the box, you should be able to install a GFCI.