About Light Fixtures and No Ground Wire
 |
How can I wire switches and light fixtures when there is no ground wire? How to Install a Light Fixture without a Ground Wire. © By: Dave Rongey |
What To Do When You Don’t Have a Ground Wire
Electrical Question #1 How can I wire switches and light fixtures when there is no ground wire?
- I am replacing a porcelain ceiling lamp holder. I bought a new lamp holder with an outlet in it my old one does not have an outlet. It has a grounded screw to attach a grounded wire. I don’t have a grounded wire can I still use this lamp holder?
This electrical wiring question came from: Karen, a Homeowner from Rockford, Illinois.
Electrical Question #2
- I bought halo recessed lights with quick connects. The problem is my wiring in the house has no ground wire, just black and white. I wired the ground wires from can light to can light. Do I need to attach a ground from all the cans to a screw in the stud or what?
This electrical wiring question came from Eric, in West Virginia.
Electrical Question #3
- The house was built in 1886. It was rewired at some time ago. I want to replace a light switch in one of the rooms with a single pole dimmer switch. the problem is that the existing light switch box does not have a ground wire, only a black and white. The dimmer switch has the ground green wire. Can I attach dimmer ground wire directly to existing witch box?
This electrical wiring question came from Enrique, a Homeowner in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring questions.
How to Install a Light Switches and Fixtures without a Ground Wire
Application: Wiring Switches and Light Fixtures.
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate – Best performed by a Licensed Electrician.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, a non-aluminum ladder and Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and access to the light fixture(s).
Precaution: Identify the light circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Light Fixtures and the Ground Wire
- Electrical wiring in some older homes does not have a ground wire for outlets ans switches, and some older homes have ground wires that are bonded behind the electrical box.
- If the box is metal then attach the fixture ground wire to the box. If the box is not metal and a ground wire is not available in the fixture box then you can still install the key less light fixture.
- An additional ground wire may be installed to provide a ground wire to the light fixture location.
- A ground wire should be bonded to the ground system of the electrical panel which must be installed according to code for it to be effective.
More about Grounds and Light Fixtures
Electrical Grounding
Electrical Grounding Methods and Requirements
Listing of electrical codes for grounding with examples of electrical grounding codes for home electrical wiring.
Lighting For The Home
Electrical outlet wiring
Wiring Electrical Outlet for the Home
Home electrical wiring includes 110 volt outlets and 220 volt outlets and receptacles which are common place in every home. See how wiring electrical outlets for the home are done.
You identified your project to be about Home Wiring, so you might find this information useful:
Home Wiring
Home Wiring
Basic Home Wiring Diagrams with Pictures
The following may also be helpful for you:
|
|
Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.
More articles about Electrical Wiring, Keyless, Lampholder and Home Electrical Wiring: |
|
| « Previous | Next » |
Installing LED Under Cabinet Puck Lights |
Electrical Crackling Noise from Surge Protector |
We have a vintage chandelier with no ground wire. In fact, both wires are in clear wiring sheaths, no black or white wire. The ceiling wiring box has a ground wire. My question is what to do with the ground wire in the ceiling wiring box and is there an electrical/fire hazard if the light fixture itself is not grounded into the ceiling wiring box?
Thanks.
Bill
Hi Scott, the following should assist you:
The Light Fixture:
If the new motion sensing flood light is non-metal, or all plastic then the housing of the fixture will not have any metal portion to bind the ground wire to, however most all light fixtures do have a ground wire.
The Light Box:
I would make sure the light box that the fixture is being wired to is grounded, and if the box is metal the ground wire should be attached to the box. If the light box is not metal then the ground wire should be bonded to one of the fixture mounting screws.
The Circuit Wiring:
If the wiring to the new light does not have a ground wire then one should be provided from the power source using an approved cable.
I hope this helps, I believe I covered all scenarios of your installation and concern.
Be Safe,
Dave
I just bought a motion sensing flood light, The new light doesn’t have a ground wire but the outside light at door has a ground wire that was attached to the old light that came on the single wide. Is this OK or should I somehow fix this?
I Bought a light fixture that does not have a ground wire! The house has a ground wire. The light fixture is new but did not have instructions in box.
Yes Michael, the ground wire should be bonded to the metal junction box or enclosure.
By the way, the wiring connections should be made in parallel, not series – making the connections color to color.
Enjoy!
Hello,
I just installed 7 recessed lights in series using BX cable, do I have to attach the green ground wire in each fixture box to the box itself with a grounding screw?
Thanks alot in advance for your response.
Sincerely,
Michael