What To Do With The Ground Wire

Great question Lori
Yes, as long as the ground is bonded at the panel, and spliced through at every junction along the way, but the ground did not have a termination screw at the fixture box for the lamp holder, and the ground wire at that point was just tucked into the junction box then the continuity of the ground will still be bonded all the way through.
Dave

Hi Derek,
After wiring the temp power was the light ON?
Keep in mind that depending on the light fixture, you can read 120 v on the neutral depending on the tester configuration, and depending on the type of light fixture. In this case, if the fixture was grounded and the ground and neutral were bonded but the ground path back to the panel was not complete then this could have caused the 120 volt reading at the ground.

A similar reading can be seen when testing an OPEN light switch for an incandescent light. You will get a 120 volt reading even if the light switch is OFF because one of the leads is reading the neutral through the filament of the light bulb.

Keep in mind that electricity takes the least path resistance to ground, no matter what that may be.

Enjoy the electrical trade – it’s a Great One.
Dave

PS – Watch out for those Hot Neutrals – Those Hurt!

Hi William,
If a ground wire is available with the circuit wiring then it is definitely best to have both locations grounded.
Be Safe,
Dave

Hi Keith,
Broken or short wires can be a challenge to work with, however if there is enough wire left you may be able to use a butt-splice crimp connector. This type of connector is an inline splice connector which is available in various sizes and are generally insulated with a plastic covering. Select one of these inline splice connectors to match the wire gauge you are working with. Be sure to use a good crimp tool to make the splice. The crimping of the splice is vitally important. This type of splice will allow you to add the additional section of wire needed to make the connection to the GFCI outlet.

Hi Vicki,
Bonding the Ground Wires of Circuit Wiring
All of the ground wires of the circuit cables should be spliced together to ensure that the ground is carried through and available for the entire circuit. When receptacles or switches are installed, an additional ground wire is connected with the spliced ground wires, and this additional ground wire is attached to the green ground screw of the outlet or switch.
I hope this helps,
Dave

Hi Norm,
For this type of installation the ground wire is connected directly to the ground terminal of the 220volt outlet. If this is a shared 220volt circuit then all of the ground wires are bonded together as well.
I hope this helps,
Dave

Hi Norm,
The neutral wire is often referred to as the return.
Dave

Hi Terry,
Replacing old wiring methods and upgrading to current code standards is always the best thing to do. Extension cords in garages that are used for permanent lighting should be replaced with approved wiring methods as well. The approved type of wiring will depend on how the garage is finished off. For example: Romex or Type-NM cable is not allowed in open framed structures such as garages where the cable is exposed and may be damaged. However installing an approved conduit type, such as metal flex or EMT conduit, will provide protection as required for wiring in exposed areas.
I hope this helps,
Dave

Hi Diana,
Yes, you can repair the ground wire by spicing the two pieces of wire together using a small twist on wire connector. Make sure the two ends of wire have the insulation removed about a half inch or more so the two pieces of wire may be joined together to complete the splice.
Thank you for sharing your electrical question with us,
Dave

Hi Tammy,
A 2 prong outlet should never be replaced with a 3 prong outlet when a system connected ground wire is not present or a part of the circuit because it is a false ground that is not connected to anything. Therefore, plugging a device with a ground prong into such an outlet will not have the ground connection, and most importantly, the protection the ground wire provides. The best option is to have the circuits upgraded and bring the home up to current electrical codes.
Be Safe,
Dave

Hi Rosemary,
Typically the ground wire is attached to the metal housing of the light fixture. The ground wire connection should provide a continuous bond throughout the metal components of the light fixture. In some cases, the ground wire extends through out the light fixture to junction box locations where the light socket wiring is spliced together. When properly installed, the bonded ground system is provided to any area of the light fixture where electrical wiring and electrical components are located. The methods that may be used to accomplish this will depend on the design and construction of each light fixture. Many light fixtures will have a green grounding screw or a bare ground wire which is provided to make the connection with the ground wire from the cord or the ground wire of the circuit wiring.
I hope this helps you,
Dave

Hi Wilf,
Yes, the ground wire in an outlet box may be spliced to provide a connection to the receptacle outlet as well as the outlet box. Make sure the wire gauge is the same as the circuit ground and the splice is an approved method.
I hope this helps,
Dave

Hi Marc,
The LED Light power requirements should be identified and compared to the power supply that you have to make sure it is fully compatible.

In an application such as this, the power supply may be installed into a metal junction box where the ground wire may be attached and bonded to the metal box. A cover plate is then installed once the wiring and connections are completed.

Be Safe,
Dave