ask the electrician
Electrician Training Electrical Certification wiring recessed light fixtures Electrical Wiring Electrical Troubleshooting and Electrical Repairs wire outdoor light fixture Home Electrical Wiring Diagrams
wiring home generator and transfer switch wiring a 220 volt range cord outlet Wiring for GFCI Outlets Wiring Outlets and a Switched Outlet Wiring and Installing Ceiling Fans and Remote Controls wire dimmer switch wiring diagrams for switches wiring a dryer cord and 220 outlet circuit breaker panel
Electrical Wire and Cable


Grounding Electrical Outlets in a Garage

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.


Home Electrical Wiring Video

How to Wire a GFCI Outlet
without a Ground Wire

Check out my YouTube Channel and Subscribe to my Videos
» AskTheElectrician «

NOTE: A List of All my Helpful Videos
Will Display at the End of This Video
So Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right!

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

Electrical Tip for Outlets in Metal Boxes

More about Garage Wiring

How to Install Garage Electrical Wiring
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
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

Electrical Wire for the Home

For more information about Grounding
Electrical Grounding


The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Here's How to Do It:
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book

Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
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
....and much more.


Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my Online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example


Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

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.


More articles about Electrical Wiring, Grounding and Home Electrical Wiring:
« Previous Next »
Hot Tub Cable and Electrical Wiring The Cause of an Electric Spark


FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

2 Responses to “Grounding Electrical Outlets in a Garage”
  1. Kevin says:

    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?

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    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.