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How To Ground Old Two-Wire Outlets

Can I run a line from the panel to one location then bring all of the grounds from the outlets on one circuit to that location and tie them all together there, or do I have to run the ground to each outlet and splice each one in there? Attaching a Ground Wire For Old 2Wire Outlets: Electrical Grounding Methods and Requirements.


Electrical Video #1

Generator Automatic Transfer Switch
and Electric Circuit Sub Panel

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Installing Ground Wiring for Old 2-Wire Outlets
[ad#block]Electrical Question: Can I run a line from the panel to one location then bring all of the grounds from the outlets on one circuit to that location and tie them all together there, or do I have to run the ground to each outlet and splice each one in there?

I am running ground to outlets in an older house with only black and white wires. I have been told that I need to run one “home run” ground from each circuit.

I have run one ground wire from the receptacle box to the crawl space under the house. I have left a lot of slack on the wires and would like to bring each one from the circuit to one location rather than splice each one in. I intended to make the connections inside a plastic one gang box. Is this acceptable per code?

Background: Ryan, a Homeowner from Smyrna, Georgia.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Ryan.

Attaching a Ground Wire For Old 2-Wire Outlets

Application: Wiring a 120 Volt Circuit.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced – Best installed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor or Certified Electrician.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and install electrical circuit wiring.
Precaution: Identify the panel circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Notice: Installing additional electrical circuit wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.

Grounding Old 2-Wire Outlets

Ryan, as long as the ground wires will be spliced together and the junction box has the cubic inch capacity for all the wires then this should be OK. The concern is to bond the new ground wires together but not exceed the box-fill capacity.

The Following will assist you with your electrical question:

Electrical Junction Boxes
Electrical Code for How Many Wires in Junction Boxes

Electrical Outlets

Electrical Wire for the Home

For more information about Grounding
Electrical Grounding
Electrical Grounding Methods and Requirements
Electrical Grounding Methods and Requirements
With a listing of electrical codes for grounding with examples of electrical grounding codes for home electrical wiring.


The following may also be helpful for you:

Electrical Video #2

How to Wire a GFCI Outlet

without a Ground Wire

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

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

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.



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.


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