Grounding Electrical Outlets in a Garage
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How should I ground an outlet to a box? How to Ground Electrical Outlets: Grounding the box and the outlet using a method that works with your wiring and box space. |
Ground Wires for Outlets
[ad#block] Electrical Question: How should I ground an outlet to a box?
I am running MC cable (3/8-1/2″) into handy boxes in series around my garage wall. I have one cable entering bottom of handy box and one leaving the top of handy box. How do I ground the box and outlet? the conductors are stranded copper. Do I strip the insulation and wrap around the ground screw on box and use crimp clamps to bond wires and use the tail of one to bond outlet, or do i need to use ring terminals and take all grounds to box ground screw, or wire nut all grounds and use 2 pigtails , 1 to box and 1 to outlet?
Background: Chris, a Handyman from Dover, Tennessee.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your Electrical Wiring Question Chris.
How to Ground Electrical Outlets
- As you have described, there are a few options for bonding the ground wire.
- This goal of this task is to ground the box and the outlet using a method that works with your wiring and box space situation.
- Pig tailing is my favorite way in most cases, and the ring tongue or fork spade crimp connectors work best when installing stranded wire, just be sure to use a good pair of crimp pliers.
Electrical Tip for Outlets in Metal Boxes
- Installing 1- 1/2 deep 4-square metal boxes and installing outlets into raised metal industrial covers is preferred because these junction boxes provide more cubic inch space.
More about Garage Wiring
How to Install Garage Electrical Wiring
Garage Electrical Wiring
Fully Explained Photos and Wiring Diagrams for Garage Electrical Wiring with Code Requirements for most new or remodel projects.
Electrical Outlet Wiring
Wiring Electrical Outlets 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.
Electrical Junction Boxes
Electrical Code for How Many Wires in Junction Boxes
For more information about Grounding
Electrical Grounding
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| Hot Tub Cable and Electrical Wiring | The Cause of an Electric Spark |
I just bought a hot tub and was having some ground issues. I was wondering how to ground the outlet that the hot tub is plugged into. It’s already plugged into a receptacle in my garage which gets all its power from the breaker box in my house. I was troubleshooting and found that if I push the outlet back against the garage siding where it is and put the cover back on it the hot tub will give off a charge. If I pull the receptacle out and plug it in so it isn’t touching anything, then there is no shock from the hot tub. So….. how would you ground that receptacle?
Hi Kevin,
Most hot tubs require a dedicated circuit which is not shared with anything else. So if that is the case with your hot tub you should check the specifications and have a dedicated circuit installed with GFCI protection as described in the installation manual.
As for the garage outlet that is causing a charge and shock hazard I would highly recommend turning off the circuit that supplies power to the outlet. The outlet should be removed so the electrical box and securing hardware may be inspected for improper installation and loose or faulty wiring connections. If the circuit wiring includes a ground wire then make sure the termination of the ground wire to the outlet is correct. Keep in mind that accessible outlets in the garage should have ground fault protection, and this can be accomplished by installing a GFCI circuit breaker, or by installing one or more GFCI Outlets.
I hope this helps you.