Re: replacing older electrical outlets

grodenhiATgmailDOTcom wrote:
> I'm not looking to take shortcuts and put safety at risk, Currently
> half of the outlets are the older 2 prong variety (all in
> kitchen/bath/livingroom are updated). We just have a few outlets in
> hall ways and bedrooms that are older 2 prong still. the only devices
> that get plugged into these are 2 prong devices likes vacuum, and the
> laptops which are three prong (using an adaptor). We're repainting the
> hallways and I was going to upgrade these outlets more for looks now
> (to white outlets) and when money is less tight have them grounded.
> I'm just wondering if there is risk (ie fire, etc) due to hooking 3
> prong outlets to ungrounded box.
>
> We plan on grounding eventually. How big a job is this for experienced
> electrician? The outlets are all on 1st floor of a ranch and the
> finished basement below has suspended ceilings (ie access to flooring
> above by moving tiles).

NEC does allow 2 prong receptacles to be replaced with 3 prong
receptacles _IF_ they are GFCI protected.
What you need to do is find in first outlet in each circuit, then
install a GFCI receptacle at that location, feeding the downstream
receptacles through that GFCI receptacle. All the downstream
receptacles can then be replaced with reguler 3 prong receptacles to
meet NEC requirements. If line and load are not available at the
first outlet, another soltion is to use GFCI breakers.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: replacing older electrical outlets
    ... >> hall ways and bedrooms that are older 2 prong still. ... >> (to white outlets) and when money is less tight have them grounded. ... > receptacles _IF_ they are GFCI protected. ... ground wire that may just be connected to the metal junction boxes. ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • Re: Strange Electrical outlet
    ... >I have just purchased a house and will do some remodeling. ... >built in 1958 and has two prong electrical outlets through out. ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • Re: replacing older electrical outlets
    ... I'm not looking to take shortcuts and put safety at risk, ... We just have a few outlets in ... hall ways and bedrooms that are older 2 prong still. ... We plan on grounding eventually. ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • Re: Strange Electrical outlet
    ... >> I have just purchased a house and will do some remodeling. ... >> built in 1958 and has two prong electrical outlets through out. ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • Re: Strange Electrical outlet
    ... > I have just purchased a house and will do some remodeling. ... > built in 1958 and has two prong electrical outlets through out. ...
    (alt.home.repair)
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