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#22594 02/25/03 08:49 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 545
A
aldav53 Offline OP
Member
I'm looking at a job upgrading an older 2 wire system, is there a way to pull in 1 ground conductor for each outlet to make it a 3 wire system? Option 2 is to just pull in new romex to each outlet.


The Golden Rule - "The man with the gold makes the rule"
#22595 02/26/03 09:25 AM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,457
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Member
It is doable. If it is a budget job maybe this would be acceptable. The right thing to do, labor wise not a whole lot different, would be to rewire. At this time you could split up circuits, bring things to code, and replace the old wire. Running a ground wire to each box would be a pain in the rump. Trying to fish a single wire into an already occupied box with wires already coming through the knockouts....I would pass.

#22596 02/26/03 11:03 AM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 70
B
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I agree with the above post. Don't nickle and dime an electrical refit. It's safer to re-wire and probably only a few bucks more.

Bob

#22597 02/26/03 11:46 AM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,081
T
Member
My non-electrician's opinion:

The other option is to use GFCI receptacles as per 2002 NEC 406-3(D)(3)(b) and (c). Of course, that still doesn't provide a grounded receptacle. I agree with the other posts.

#22598 03/04/03 02:37 AM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 545
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aldav53 Offline OP
Member
The customer wants to keep the cost down so I will probably leave the 2 wire recepts since its not against code on an exhisting home, and just add a GFI circuit for the bathrooms and kitchen and change the main panel. There is a sub panel (fuses) which I can just splice the circuits and them run back to the main panel and have all circuits at one location.


The Golden Rule - "The man with the gold makes the rule"
#22599 03/04/03 11:12 AM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,691
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If you leave those two-hole sockets in place the homeowner's going to start fiddling with those infernal "cheater plugs" to enable him to plug in three-pin plugs.

That would lead to a potentially life-threatening situation if homeowner uses a faulty device that should have been grounded to begin with (refrigerator or power tool).

Not to mention that most of those old receptacles are so cracked and worn over the years that they probably don't grip the plugs properly....

#22600 03/04/03 02:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,457
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aladav53, What you are doing is an excellent approach. Changing the panel first will give you the ability to upgrade items over time. Kitchen and bath are the best places to start.

#22601 03/04/03 03:59 PM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,294
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If I can add to E-manScott's post, also be sure and ground the laundry recp(s).
It was the first required by the NEC to be grounded (way back)...S

#22602 03/04/03 11:15 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 545
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aldav53 Offline OP
Member
Thanks for your comments, yes I will also suggest grounding the laundry circuit. 2 wire recepts are not as good of course but as far as I know they are not against code in an exhisting home.


The Golden Rule - "The man with the gold makes the rule"

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