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Add a gound?

wyliesdiesels

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Aug 14, 2012
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Modesto, CA
Because of misinformation?

You don't need neutral for a 220-volt circuit, just 2 out of phase 110-volt legs and ground.

A bit ironic you calling out misinformation while saying 110v and 220v which hasnt been in use in the US for decades.

:eek:wned: :eek:wned2:
 
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mm08822

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Jan 13, 2012
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Here's the quick synopsis. House with a detached garage, electric coming into it is a 2 wire cable (hot and neutral, no ground). How can I fix this short of digging up the cable and replacing it?

Quickest way to make this safer is to install a gfci recept at the point where the cable comes into the garage. Anything downstream of the gfci will trip on 6ma imbalance.

Based on the cable description provided, it is a very old install. I doubt the conduit is in good enough condition to provide a reliable ground path back to the panel.
Even pulling out the original cable and pulling in conductors or another (UF) cable could be risky/impossible if the conduit is swiss cheese.
 
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sberry

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Brethren, Michigan
Quickest way to make this safer is to install a gfci recept at the point where the cable comes into the garage. Anything downstream of the gfci will trip on 6ma imbalance.

Based on the cable description provided, it is a very old install. I doubt the conduit is in good enough condition to provide a reliable ground path back to the panel.
Even pulling out the original cable and pulling in conductors or another (UF) cable could be risky/impossible if the conduit is swiss cheese.

Even better would be to hook it ahead of the circuit.
 

Alchymist

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Central PA
Only thing I can think of needs a N is a couple household items, they are the exceptions and the voltage changes are close to 10%.

How about any sub panel, air conditioners, hot tubs, ground source heating systems, any 240 v system that uses 120 v controls. And I do believe the incoming voltage from the POCO is held a lot closer than 10%. But then, worst case, the slight difference in 110 vs 120 in load calculations on borderline runs coupled with a 10% reduction in line voltage puts you where? Just saying.
 
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wyliesdiesels

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Modesto, CA
I had a service call one time where a mobile home was getting 228v(114v per leg) with minimal load- just lights on. Thats 5%.

When she would turn on the microwave or especially the air conditioning, breakers would trip.

The voltage would drop so low (close to 100v) that appliances and equipment were pulling too much current.

Turns out, Pacific Gasp and Extortion had issues previously with the supply to the park. They had setup generators to power the park while they fixed their high voltage switch gear, etc.

I told customer looks like they didnt fix it and she needs to call them. Nothing i could do. Unfortunately for her, I had to collect the $60 home warranty co-pay.
 
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Norcal

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Mar 16, 2008
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Because of misinformation?

You don't need neutral for a 220-volt circuit, just 2 out of phase 110-volt legs and ground.

220 volts is line and a neutral, and is 50 hertz, 240 volts in the US & Canada is 2 lines each being 120 volts.
 

Norcal

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Nowhere that I've seen.

You edited a MAJOR clue, 50 hertz, which most of the world uses, but 220V is pretty much limited to 3rd world countries.


BTW, no California PoCo's provide 110,220,or 440 volts, read their requirements as what they do provide.
 

arkieguide

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Aug 10, 2017
Messages
50
My goodness - You need 2 hot wires, one neutral wire, &* one ground wire back to the service panel.Neutral & ground are to be separate all the way back to the service panel where they connect. If you want to drive a ground to outside building please do so but it will not replace the service ground .
 

mm08822

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NJ
Nowhere that I've seen.

Here's the 220v ...phase to neutral @50hz. Take a trip to Europe and you'll find them virtually everywhere.

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