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Electrical Conduit and Ground Wires


Methods for Grounding Metallic Electrical Conduits – In some installations there will be bonding devices that will be required for proper bonding. So as long as these measures are in place then this should not have an effect on the performance of the GFCI outlet.



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Metallic Electrical Conduit and Grounding Methods
[ad#block]Electrical Question: Do I need a ground wire even though everything is in conduit?
Could that be the reason a couple of my GFCI outlets keep popping?

This electrical question came from: Chad, a Handyman from Franklin Park, Illinois

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your Electrical Wiring Question Chad.
Great Question about grounding metal conduits Chad.

Methods for Grounding Metallic Electrical Conduits

The Following will assist you with your Electrical Question:

GFCI Outlet Wiring

Electrical Grounding

Electrical Wire for the Home

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Wiring Electrical Outlet for the Home

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Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

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Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
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The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


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FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

4 Responses to “Electrical Conduit and Ground Wires”
  1. Daniel R Engel says:

    Dear Dave:

    When I worked in a steel mill for 20 years and wanted to revise some old outlets at home to grounded outlets, since I was a millwright, some of the industrial electricians taught me what was supposed to be an easy fix. They told me to install the new outlet with the 3 prong receptacle for the ground plug, but to add a ground wire from the neutral to ground on the outlet and I won’t have to rerun all the wiring from the box. This seemed like about 100 hours of work saved in addition to money, so I tried it out on one and plugged in a tester you buy at the building supply…

    See the full discussion about Home Electrical System Grounding

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Daniel,
    I must say – I had to smile a little while reading your comment, because I have had several conversations about this very same issue and concern.
    I might add that I have discovered countless receptacles during renovations where this method was installed, needless to say the wiring was…..

    See the expanded answer to this question at: Home Electrical System

  3. Robert Mayfield says:

    I purchased a home that was built in 1965. The copper wiring is ran through conduit but there was no ground wire. The outlets are two prong.

    I want to change all of the outlets to three wire and ground them. Can I ground the new outlets to the conduit? or am I stuck with trying to fish wire through walls?

    Thanks in advance!

  4. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Robert – Great Question!
    When conduit is properly installed and bonded using approved conduit fittings the conduit serves as the ground path back to the panel. In a case such as this, typically a ground wire is attached to the metal junction box using a green grounding screw where a threaded hole is provided, or a hole may be drilled and tapped for the green ground screw. After installing the grounded receptacles, the integrity of the ground path of the conduit and the metal components of the circuit may be tested with a volt meter by placing one test lead onto a metal component and the other test lead onto the hot side of the circuit. The same test should be done with the hot and ground of the receptacle. If you are testing a GFCI outlet then this test will cause the GFCI outlet to trip, and that is a normal reaction.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave