Testing An Electrical Circuit For A Ground
|
Should I make sure my Circuits are Properly Grounded? How to Determine if a Circuit is Actually Grounded and how to proceed to bond your system for equipment protection © By: Dave Rongey |
Earth Ground Electric Circuit
[ad#block] Electrical Question: Should I make sure my circuits are properly grounded?
- I went to install my dishwasher and there was three wire coming from the metal housing in the wall which had a white, black and green wire. I connected the white with white and black with black but when I grounded the green wire to the dishwasher I noticed that the previous owner tied one end of green wire to the appliance and just stuck a loose end up the pipe. Does this mean that I need an electrician to run a green wire from the breaker panel to the appliance to get it properly grounded?
Background: Joe, a Homeowner from Chicago, Illinois
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Joe.
Electrical Circuit and the Earth Ground
NOTE: Where you proceed with a situation like this depends if there is a ground already present with the incoming circuit that you could bond to or not. This may depend on the age of the home, or looking to see if existing outlets are grounded or not, and I mean truly grounded.
Checking an Electrical Circuit for a Earth Ground
- Many times grounded outlets are installed in older homes even though a ground wire was not attached to the outlet or a ground wire was not bonded to the outlet box, and this is not a recommend practice.
- The presence of a ground is best identified by using a receptacle tester and circuit analyzer that has three lights on it that indicate if the wiring of the outlet is correct or not.
- If it is discovered that the circuit is not grounded then an approved connection to a metal cold water pipe would work in a situation such as this.
More about Home Electrical Wiring
Receptacle Tester and Circuit Analyzer
Electrical Grounding Methods and Requirements
Listing of electrical codes for grounding with examples of electrical grounding codes for home electrical wiring.
For Best Results Consult a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Locate An Electrical Contractor in Your Area
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.
The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!The Non-Contact Electrical TesterThis 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 TesterThis 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 CutterMy 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, Grounding and Home Electrical Wiring: |
|
| « Previous | Next » |
Replacing a Ceiling Fan Where I Have Three Way Switches |
Adding Breaker Space To Your Electric Panel |
