Outlet question

[threeputt]

My home was built before the 3 wire was code. I am replacing an outlet on the outside under soffit so I can install my new outdoor security camera. The problem is both wires are white. I want to make sure I don't cross the two wire when connecting to outlet.

Is there a fool proof way to tell which wire is hot and which is the neutral when no ground wire was ever installed. It does have a metal outlet box. I touched one lead of my meter to metal box and I touched both wires one at a time. I got 40 volts on one and nothing on the other. Is this a sure way to tell even though I know the metal box is not tied to any ground ?

I also drove a metal rod in soft ground a few feet with a wire connected to it which would reach my wires that connect to outlet. One I got 50 volts, the other nothing. Again I assume the one I touched is the hot wire and other the neutral. If that is the case it was wired backwards all these years even though all I had connected was a motion light.

 

[Jim greengo]

Get one of those light up testers at the hardware store.

 

[Kevin Essiambre]

Grab an extension cord, run it to an outlet that you know has a ground connected to it. Use this cord as a reference for ground or neutral at the wiring you're trying to troubleshoot.

I would test using the neutral on the cord to find the hot wire. Then verify the neutral by going from the hot on the cord to the neutral.

Does this make sense to you?

Sent from my new phone. Autocorrect may have changed stuff.

 

[threeputt]

Grab an extension cord, run it to an outlet that you know has a ground connected to it. Use this cord as a reference for ground or neutral at the wiring you're trying to troubleshoot.

I would test using the neutral on the cord to find the hot wire. Then verify the neutral by going from the hot on the cord to the neutral.

Does this make sense to you?

Sent from my new phone. Autocorrect may have changed stuff.

Great idea. That's makes perfect sense . I have rewired part of the house and made it up to date. I will do this and post back. THANKS

 

[threeputt]

Get one of those light up testers at the hardware store.

I have one at my shop but it was 5 miles away when I was up on the ladder. I started to go get it but I was in a hurry to get off ladder. It does show reverse connection. I think I will use the extension cord first because I have one here that has the ground lead on it. THANKS

 

[Jim greengo]

I was talking about 1 of these.

 

[threeputt]

I was talking about 1 of these.

I got one that I bought at Harbor Freight last year. It showed both wires hot.

 

[threeputt]

I used the extension cord that was connected to a grounded outlet downstairs to test if I had it correct. I had it connected correct. For all these years it was wired backward. What safety issue would that have caused ? I know there is a right way and wrong way but for those years my outside motion light worked.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

My home was built before the 3 wire was code. I am replacing an outlet on the outside under soffit so I can install my new outdoor security camera. The problem is both wires are white. I want to make sure I don't cross the two wire when connecting to outlet.

Is there a fool proof way to tell which wire is hot and which is the neutral when no ground wire was ever installed. It does have a metal outlet box. I touched one lead of my meter to metal box and I touched both wires one at a time. I got 40 volts on one and nothing on the other. Is this a sure way to tell even though I know the metal box is not tied to any ground ?

I also drove a metal rod in soft ground a few feet with a wire connected to it which would reach my wires that connect to outlet. One I got 50 volts, the other nothing. Again I assume the one I touched is the hot wire and other the neutral. If that is the case it was wired backwards all these years even though all I had connected was a motion light.

Testing to an ungrounded metal box will not tell you anything.

A grounding electrode is not the same animal as an equipment ground.

The extension cord method mentioned earlier is the proper method.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I used the extension cord that was connected to a grounded outlet downstairs to test if I had it correct. I had it connected correct. For all these years it was wired backward. What safety issue would that have caused ? I know there is a right way and wrong way but for those years my outside motion light worked.

e
No safety issue compared to the wiring standard at the time.
Old 2 prong outlets/plugs weren't polarized.

Basically like driving a vintage car without air bags.

 

[threeputt]

e
No safety issue compared to the wiring standard at the time.
Old 2 prong outlets/plugs weren't polarized.

Basically like driving a vintage car without air bags.

So it don't matter which line goes to what terminal on the old 2 prong ?

 

[Terry D]

So it don't matter which line goes to what terminal on the old 2 prong ?

You need to look at the receptacle, they have been polarized for a long
time. The slots with be different on a polarized one. The shorter of the two is where the black (hot) goes. You can also tell by the screws, brass is for the black, silver for white. This my not be your case, if the slots are the same size, then it is not polarized. One of the reasons it makes a difference now, when plugging a lamp in, the outer part off the screw shell is connected to the grounded conductor. So when changing a light bulb with the switch on, there is no risk off shock if you were touching ground somewhere and also touch the outer part off the screw shell while installing the light bulb

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

So it don't matter which line goes to what terminal on the old 2 prong ?

You asked "For all these years it was wired backward. What safety issue would that have caused ?"
I was just pointing out that way back when (before polarized and grounded outlets) it wasn't seen as a safety issue.
Polarization, grounding, GFCI all are safety related and lack of following current practices would be seen as causing safety issues today.

 

[threeputt]

You asked "For all these years it was wired backward. What safety issue would that have caused ?"
I was just pointing out that way back when (before polarized and grounded outlets) it wasn't seen as a safety issue.
Polarization, grounding, GFCI all are safety related and lack of following current practices would be seen as causing safety issues today.

Thanks, always enjoy learning.