My husband was an electrician and did all these things. I’m grateful for remembering some of the terminology that he taught so I can do a few things on my own. RIP Lorenzo 👩🏾❤💋👨🏽
The house I currently live in was built in the 1920s. The wiring was upgraded in the late 60s early 70s it does not have a ground wire. Some of my box has been upgraded and one room was completely required. I’ve enjoyed your videos and learned a lot. I know you recommend a licensed electrician and although I agree, $40000 to update my home is just not feasible at this time.
In Australia 🇦🇺 it’s actually illegal for anyone other than a licensed electrician to do ANY electrical work in your home in fact here in the state of Queensland they have inspectors who randomly check and if caught it’s a fine of up to A$40,000 for individuals and up to A$300,000 for corporations. So things like replacing outlets,changing a light fitting,changing a plug and repairing extension leads are all illegal and fine applicable!
I have an issue, it’d be great if you could help! I upgraded two two-prong outlets to three-prong Leviton GFCI outlets. One has green light on, works fine, the other one has no light, and it doesn’t work. I’ll refer to them as A (the one that works) and B (the one that doesn’t) from now on. So, when I RESET B, it turns red for a short moment and shuts off A. B still doesn’t work and is not RESSETable anymore. But I am capable of RESETing A, and then it’s all back to beginning. A works, B doesn’t. They are both in the same room, neighboring walls, I don’t know if they are in the same circuit or not. Any help would be appreciated, but this was very useful video, thank you! Definitely a new subscriber!
If you have more than three outlets in room, that would probably mean that two of the outlets are four (4) wire (two coming in and two going out). How does one determine which is the first or incoming outlet which is where the GFCI should be located? Thank you in advance for the courtesy of a response.
I have replaced a broken switch(plate on the lever actualator broken but switch stil works) it had that backstab wires I ended up cutting and stripping it and wiring it as a clamp connection instead, this serves right on why clamp connection is better
By useing only one GFI in a ladder circuit where the downstream ouletst detect diffrent load factors from lets say an amp or a motor starting that anomaly alone would cause the primary GFI to trip out
thank you for answering my questions. now I have a more serious question regarding GFCI. My question is, in the downstream of a GFCI protected circuit, should/can we hook up appliances such as refrigerator, dishwasher, microwaves, things that have capacitors to provide high starting voltages ? I found if they are placed after a GFCI, they will cause GFCI to trigger randomly and frequently, which is very annoying. or I can simply represent the question as, should refrigerator, dish washer, trash disposer be protected by GFCI or not and why, given that they are properly grounded?
I can say from experience not to wire a GFCI to your dishwasher as you'll be resetting it quite often. I can also say from experience that your microwave needs to be on its own circuit and not downstream from anything, I tried replacing my vent hood with one and my kitchen lights dimmed and my tv turned off when I tried using it.
The problem with hooking GFIs in the first receptacle circuit of lets say two mofe outlets is that tha GFI detects an unbalaced load in the downstrem outlets from diffrent load requirements as those outlets power up Thats the physic s of electricity
This video is about ungrounded systems. Nothing in it applies to homes with ground wires. There are different rules on use of GFCIs on those. Putting a fridge on a GFCI is a bad idea as you can ruin the contents if it trips for a trivial reasons. If you are worried do not hoot outlets on the load but use separate GFCIs. That way the leak current is less and also if something trips it does not stop any other devices. The 5 mA trip current is IMO too low. We have 30 mA in Europe and therefore less problems.
How do you identify which is the 'first' outlet on the circuit? And once you put a GFCI on it is it better to replace the subsequent 2-prong outlets with 3-prong outlets or just use the 2 to 3 prong adapters?
Turn power off to the circuit at circuit breaker. Take apart an outlet, seperate the wires. Restore power at breaker. If the other outlets in the circuit are dead, you found the top of the circuit. It will often be closest to circuit breaker panel
@@sbearly As an electrical guy, I know that you do not need years of training to put a wire under a screw and tighten. I believe that most electrical guys want to see the job done correctly, bestest job that can be done. Let me pain his scenario: a partyat your house and "he bar tender" friend plugs in a blender into a badly connected outlet. They get shocked. Over night hospital stay for monitoring. Who pays the hospital bill? They will sue the home owner and their insurance company. Now, in your state, if the house was not built to code, permits, etc, does the insurance company get to bow out and leave the home owner on the hook alone? That $100 dollars you would have given the electrician could be used up bathe time your lawyer finishes their coffee. As far as learning from UA-cam videos.....was it an electrical pro or some guy with a wrench and a screwdriver? Be safe out there. One last question, "If knowledge is the treasure that you can give away all you have and still have all you started with." did you steal from a pro if you get theirs?
@@sbearly Yeah you can learn a tremendous amount from UA-cam and the internet all here on your smartphone. Based on your original questions you haven't learned much, at least not yet. More humility would be beneficial, be careful.
@@TopHomeownerCan't really argue with that logic, but the residential receptacles are fine if not back stabbed and the plug is rarely removed as in a TV, for example.
For sure, but, the difference is like 50c an outlet if you're doing enough, which even if you were redoing outlets in an entire house, you're talking tens of dollars at most. Well worth it to not have an outlet wear out in 5-10yrs of heavy use
If the 2 prong receptacle is in a metal box fed by metal armored cable (BX), the box/cable usually provides a ground. Once you have confirmed that the BX armor is in fact connected to ground, can't you simply connect the ground of a standard 3-prong outlet to the box/cable? wouldn't that be a safe installation?
I'd say yes as long as all the mc cable connectors along the way remain tight. If you plug in a receptacle tester and it tests good and there's no "bootleg ground" then you're probably good.
All the outlets in my home office (from the 60s) now have CFGIs. You said that for certain devices (I worry about my Macbook and guitar amps) you MUST use a grounded outlet. Since it is not an option for me would a quality power bar with an integrated breaker provide some additional protection? Or is the type of protection these bars are made for unrelated to issues pertaining to grounding?
Just where did you get the idea that you must have a grounded outlet. From the manual? That is put there for all devices, sometimes even on double insulated ones. No computer requires a grounded outlet. Laptops are extra low voltage devices. Anything beyond the power supply is isolated from the mains. Only point of using a power bar is that if you have several devices the bar levels the potential between them but a double socket does the same for two.
thank you, great video! I did add on to my house years ago and regret not rewired the older portion of the house. I am planning to install GFCI in the two rooms that has ungrounded wire. However, I do have questions: the two ungrounded room has ungrounded wires but using a 3 prongs outlet. I was told that it is not safe doing that but isn't it the same as using an adaptor (3 into 2)? Also, other options is to grond the few important outlet by adding a gound wire which is a "smaller" job than to rewire the entire. I will like to know what you think before I jump into it. Many thanks. Or, anyone who viewed this comment and provide a helpful advice. (unfortunately, I can't afford to rewire all the rooms that has ungrounded wire at this moment)
The issue with using 3 prong outlets that aren't grounded is the assumption they are. GFCI will add a layer of safety for you. I'm not a fan of cheater plugs (3 into 2) either.
@TopHomeowner thank you. I had an electrician that came to replace some old receptacles and when I suggested installing GFCI for some of the outlets, he said that it s not a good idea since I am using strp surge protector . is that true?
Great video! I appreciate you taking time and making these videos. I have a question on GFCI outlets. My house mainly has 2 prong outlets and I"m looking to change them with 3 prong. Should I change all the outlets with GFCI receptacles? Thanks
According to the NEC code, installing a GFCI for safety reasons is an acceptable alternative. I would verify there are no local codes against that won't allow it, or any other reason why installing GFCI might no be a good idea in your case.
Other videos said to place the GFCI on the first outlet in the circuit. But I have not easy way to figure out what that first one is. Can I just replace every outlet with GFCI?
Everyone says, if you are going to DIY this, to put the GFCI on the first receptacle of the circuit. How do you identify what the first receptacle on a circuit is? I do not have Supermans xray vision.
I was looking into the same thing, but hit this, which you do not cover in this video: NEC 406.4D makes it clear that replacement of receptacles requires arc-fault protection (AFCI). There is no exception for 2-prong. Beginning..."Replacement of receptacles shall comply with 406.4(D)(1) through (D)(7), as applicable. Arc-fault circuit-interrupter type and ground-fault circuit-interrupter type receptacles shall be installed in a readily accessible location..." Note that it also specifically disallows the AFCI exception under 210.12D. AFCI requirements vary by region, so check the local code, but the NEC is painfully clear about this-since 2014, from what I read. (And then there is tamper resistance, but that's another issue...)
I'm trying to rewire my 2plug plug-in with a gsi or gfi breaker switch plug-in and I have 5 wires, 2black, 2white & one red? I have no idea where to wire them in?
Yes, as long as the conduit is continuous and the panel is wired correctly. In many homes built before 1970 a separate ground wire was attached to the outside of each metal box to provide ground even though the receptacle was 2 prong and the main cable has only hot and neutral wires. You can verify this by using a receptacle tester plugged into the adapter. If it reads "open ground" then no dice. If it reads "correct" then one of those methods of grounding was used.
I live in an old house that is wired kinda crazy, meaning the rooms that have more than one outlet, are wired to different circuits, so it's hard to tell what's the first receptacle on a specific circuit. I need to have my 2 prong receptacle, on my front porch, replaced with a 3 prong, but want to do it in a legal, safe, way that provides protection, any advice?!?
Always check local electrical codes first, but you should be able to install a WR (weather rated) GFCI receptacle for your porch. It won't provide a true ground but it will provide protection from shorts. Also, if the receptacle isn't protected from the elements, I'd recommend installing a weatherproof cover too.
My house is grounded to cold water pipes throughout the basement. The panel is bonded to the pipe. There's 3 bedrooms upstairs that has floating grounds. All other receptacles are grounded. The kitchen actually home runs to the panel. Same with the outside receptacles. There's nothing but lamps and phone chargers in those bedrooms. They can be changed back to 2 prong. The painter changed those out and shouldn't have.
@@AB-dl1hz it is true that water pipes have been used in the past as actual grounding electrodes themselves, being that they make direct contact with the earth.
Question, I seen a while back, that if you have a metal box, you can install a ground wire to the box. Is this legal and can you do this with GF outlets
For country that has screw terminals on the side of there sockets with no finger protection - something most countrys probably got rid off half a century ago, You should of been using ground on all sockets.
thank you for this one! this really helped me get to understand the terms since i really know nothing abt electrical stuff. also wanted to ask if using a cheap 3 to 2 prong adapter to connect a heavy duty 3 prong surge protector will do more harm to the surge protector incase of surges?
For a surge protector to work properly it needs a ground. That's because any excess voltage needs to go somewhere, and instead of your devices it dumps it through the ground wire. I hope that helps!
Could a person run a single ground wire, from the outlet, to another outlet that does have a ground? Or, directly to the ground rod on the outside of the house? Is this unsafe, or ineffective?
@Paulina Romanovsky My house is a mess. Only the kitchen, shed, and part of the basement actually home run to the panel box. They grounded this house on several locations to cold water pipes. The pipe is bonded to the electrical panel. There's also a ground rod at the meter. Plumbers are not allowed to run PEX as they would interrupt a ground path somewhere. I'm guessing this was done in the 1980's code at that time. GFCI wasn't required at the time except for washing machines and outdoor receptacles. Is this safe?
* If the two different receptacles are on the same circuit, yes, a ground wire can be run to the outlet/ receptacle with the ground wire, and that should meet code. If on 2 different circuits, no. * Could the ground wire be run directly to the ground rod? Yes, if that is the grounding point used for the breaker box. No, if the ground rod is not the grounding point for the breaker box; otherwise, a ground loop circuit would be created.
A simple ground rod will do nothing without a GFCI. Did you forget that the ground wire needs to be connected to the neutral. That is what provides the protection, not any rod. Yo can run a wire from known ground under the same panel like a grounded socket.
2 aspects of gfci's not discussed in this video: Cost ..... is a breaker or a recepticle cheaper for the same protection? Location.....some homes have the electrical panel in the basement and a 3rd floor bathroom. The neighborhood kids may not enjoy the show as "NAKED MAN" runs down to reset the gfci and returns to finish with the blow dryer. These two aspects may have you doing a far different installation than you originally planned.
So if I were to plug a surge protected power strip into a GFCI that's replaced a non grounded two prong outlet will my electronics be safe? Also will the GFCI flip if the surge protected power strip is overloaded?
I've been reading a lot about this, because sadly I can't afford a house so I have to rent and most apartments in my country are old and owners don't bother to rewire their apartments to comply with modern standards out of ignorance. And the average Joe doesn't care, so none does nothing. Anyway for what I've read these GFCIs are only for your personal protection, not your devices, computers and so, they are meant to be installed in places like bathrooms, basements and places where water and humidity is prevalent and a risk. They won't do anything for your PC or video game console. In my country Mexico we have a problem with dirty and unstable power delivery, so buying power conditioners are a must for all households. No one ever connects anything directly to the wall. So in our case, that's the best way to protects our electronics. So I don't know, what do you guys think about this?.
nice video......thumbs up..n subscr..question is there a difference bettween a gfi & a gfci??????i have on ole house thats mainly ole black romex..no ground wire..so i put gfi-s in...restroom n kitchen..is this okay???its been years no problems yet.
If your panel will accept GFCI breakers than yes. We had an older house where that wasn't an option and was told the entire panel needed to be upgraded. Always double check local codes to make sure too.
@@donaldhinson7144 This is a common practice. It's also listed somewhere in the National Electrical Code as 'acceptable' and many local jurisdictions. Maybe you want to check it before you cop an attitude.
The ground adds protection against electrocution, so a GFCI would do the same in this case. Ideally your space heater would have a plastic case and not have exposed metal to add even more protection.
What if I hammered a ground rod into the ground and ran a ground wire just to the few outlets that I need to use for equipment ground? I can do this from the crawl space but rewiring the house is a task far too cumbersome
@Kevin Don't waste your time as that will accomplish nothing. The ground wire aka equipment grounding conductor must be bonded to the neutral wire at the main panel in order to complete the circuit and trip the breaker if a ground fault occurs. What you're describing is sort of a grounding electrode conductor, but must be connected from the service panel, not from a receptacle. They're serve two different purposes.
Hi there, rewiring an old house electrical wiring. 3 gang box im using coz 2 switch and 1 outlet. But the old wiring only shows : first set which the black is the hot wire with 2 yellow wires. Then 2nd set only got one black and one yellow. How can i do this? Thanks in advanced.
@@arnehelland6015 It’s been a long time ago that I did residential! Retired 2018. Pulled NEC and found it originated in 2011 406.4(D)(4) which says must have AFCI. And was effective January 1, 2014. Thanks! Kevin
If I install a GFCI receptacle on the first outlet of a circuit, can I replace all other 2 prong outlets on the same circuit with regular 3 prong outlets?
But wouldn't you need to link the ground prongs on all the outlets to the GFCI for it to be effective? How would the GFCI detect a ground fault on a downstream outlet otherwise?
Ok. So I just found the answer to my own question and realized that you covered it in your first video, but I didn't process what you meant when you said it. I'd like to clarify for anyone asking the same question. The GFCI doesn't actually use the ground prongs to detect a ground fault, instead it detects a differential in the current flow between the phase and neutral wire which indicates that power is leaking to ground somewhere in the circuit. It won't actually prevent an electrical shock entirely, rather it will detect the fault (i.e. you getting shocked by the faulting appliance) very quickly and will disconnect the circuit preventing a prolonged electrocution. This certainly seems to be more of a potential life saving measure as apposed to an appliance saving measure. I feel like all home circuits should have GFCIs, otherwise a faulting appliance will simply dump current into ground and drive up your power bill without any indication to the homeowner that there is anything wrong.
The tab on the 2-prong to 3-prong adapter does indeed bond to the grounding pin. The theory is to run the center cover plate screw through the tab, but that would only provide a (somewhat inadequate) ground if the receptacle box was metal and itself grounded. In general, using a 2-to-3 prong adapter is a terrible idea from a safety point of view. It is the non-destructive equivalent of cutting off a grounding pin.
It can be even worse. Lets say you use two of them and one does ground through the screw but the other does not. Now you have created a dangerous situation where you have grounded and ungrounded devices side by side. If the ungrounded fails and you touch both at the same time you can get a very dangerous shock. Remember it takes 50 amps to reliably and immediately trip a breaker but just 0.1 amps to kill. Poor grounding can be more dangerous than no grounding,.
If you install a GFCI receptacle at the first receptacle and plug in a GFCI tester in the next downstream receptacle and hit the test button it won’t trip the GFCI
Of course it won't. There is nowhere where the tester could divert the current. You must totally forget external testers with this installation. You must use the test button. In fact that is always the only proper way to test GFCIs.
It depends. If your circuit is wired in a daisy chained fashion (using the receptacle as a connector) then you'll only need a gfci at the first receptacle, once you determine which one that is, and all the downstream receptacles would be connected to the Load of the gfci. The downstream receptacles would be changed to regular 3 prong. Not really difficult to do. If your receptacles are wired using pigtails, making each receptacle independent of a previous one, then yes, you would need a gfci at every one. It's possible to do otherwise, but impractical because the labor cost and if you don't know what you're doing it could be a mess.
You do not need to replace any one of them. You can replace as many as you want, one or all or anything between. Just make sure that they are GFCI protected and marked appropriately.
Thanks for your thorough and clear explanations. I have a home built in 1958. It has two prong outlets. But I seem to recall when replacing a light switch that there is a third wire coming out of the power cable and it is screwed to the box. Is that the ground? And if it is then can I just replace the two prong outlet with a three? Or do GFCI outlets have a place to attach the ground (3rd) wire and then it will be a grounded outlet? Thanks.
My house was built in '56 but a large dormer was added on later. The lower floor all has two wire Romex, but the second floor has metal boxes with ground wires connected directly to the box. This is not up to current code, but better than no ground. I had the service brought up to 100A and added GFI outlets to the three circuits coming up through the bedroom directly above the panel, plus the kitchen - the bathroom already had a GFI.
I’m begging if theirs other 2 prong outlets and one gets replaced first on circuit to a gfci all 2 prong outlets also have gfci protection but you need a cheaters adapter lol
You won't need a cheaters adapter if you change the downstream receptacles to 3-prong. The GFCI comes with stickers "No Equipment Ground" and you would place them on all the new receptacle covers including the GFCI.
Is this serious or some sort of comedy, I'm thankful that I have lived in the UK (GB) since 1952 with our MK three-pin plugs and sockets, that never got hot or sparked and with the earth wired in.
Hello mate. It is somewhat of a joke. So many people want to do electrical work with little to no training. I wonder if they do the surgery on themselves and family members or if they go to a real doctor?
![Complete Guide On Replacing/ Upgrading old 2 Prong Outlets [Short Wires, No Ground and more!]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gwFTBDo9pKE/mqdefault.jpg)
My husband was an electrician and did all these things. I’m grateful for remembering some of the terminology that he taught so I can do a few things on my own. RIP Lorenzo 👩🏾❤💋👨🏽
Hopefully this helped. Let me know if you get stuck.
@@TopHomeowner Thanks it did
RIP Lorenzo!
RIP Lorenzo!
@@itjustmightwork Thank you
My 1961 on slab home in Thousand Oaks had two prong receptacles. Installed GFI's on two wire wiring.....Worked fine, in the electrical code
The house I currently live in was built in the 1920s. The wiring was upgraded in the late 60s early 70s it does not have a ground wire. Some of my box has been upgraded and one room was completely required. I’ve enjoyed your videos and learned a lot. I know you recommend a licensed electrician and although I agree, $40000 to update my home is just not feasible at this time.
Wow, you must have had a knob and tube system. Yes GFCI and ARC Fault interrupters would be an affordable improvement. Good luck.
In Australia 🇦🇺 it’s actually illegal for anyone other than a licensed electrician to do ANY electrical work in your home in fact here in the state of Queensland they have inspectors who randomly check and if caught it’s a fine of up to A$40,000 for individuals and up to A$300,000 for corporations. So things like replacing outlets,changing a light fitting,changing a plug and repairing extension leads are all illegal and fine applicable!
@@daverowley2013 australia sucks
Really appreciate the code callout; it just adds that extra bit of credibility.
Very clear and concise information, thank u ❤️🙏🏻
Glad it was helpful!
I have an issue, it’d be great if you could help! I upgraded two two-prong outlets to three-prong Leviton GFCI outlets. One has green light on, works fine, the other one has no light, and it doesn’t work. I’ll refer to them as A (the one that works) and B (the one that doesn’t) from now on. So, when I RESET B, it turns red for a short moment and shuts off A. B still doesn’t work and is not RESSETable anymore. But I am capable of RESETing A, and then it’s all back to beginning. A works, B doesn’t. They are both in the same room, neighboring walls, I don’t know if they are in the same circuit or not.
Any help would be appreciated, but this was very useful video, thank you! Definitely a new subscriber!
At 4:50, it's fine to put multiple GFCI receptacles on a circuit as long as all the connections are made to the Line side. The Load will not be used.
Yes, thanks for pointing that out. I wanted to make sure that everyone avoids daisy chaining the GFCIs on the load side which is a nightmare.
If you have more than three outlets in room, that would probably mean that two of the outlets are four (4) wire (two coming in and two going out). How does one determine which is the first or incoming outlet which is where the GFCI should be located? Thank you in advance for the courtesy of a response.
Excellent video! This info was kinda hard to find. Thanks
I have replaced a broken switch(plate on the lever actualator broken but switch stil works) it had that backstab wires I ended up cutting and stripping it and wiring it as a clamp connection instead, this serves right on why clamp connection is better
The box may be grounded. If you test 120 V between hot and the box with a volt meter u have a ground.
Thank you for the video 👍🏽
By useing only one GFI in a ladder circuit where the downstream ouletst detect diffrent load factors from lets say an amp or a motor starting that anomaly alone would cause the primary GFI to trip out
thank you for answering my questions. now I have a more serious question regarding GFCI. My question is, in the downstream of a GFCI protected circuit, should/can we hook up appliances such as refrigerator, dishwasher, microwaves, things that have capacitors to provide high starting voltages ? I found if they are placed after a GFCI, they will cause GFCI to trigger randomly and frequently, which is very annoying. or I can simply represent the question as, should refrigerator, dish washer, trash disposer be protected by GFCI or not and why, given that they are properly grounded?
I can say from experience not to wire a GFCI to your dishwasher as you'll be resetting it quite often. I can also say from experience that your microwave needs to be on its own circuit and not downstream from anything, I tried replacing my vent hood with one and my kitchen lights dimmed and my tv turned off when I tried using it.
The problem with hooking GFIs in the first receptacle circuit of lets say two mofe outlets is that tha GFI detects an unbalaced load in the downstrem outlets from diffrent load requirements as those outlets power up Thats the physic s of electricity
This video is about ungrounded systems. Nothing in it applies to homes with ground wires. There are different rules on use of GFCIs on those. Putting a fridge on a GFCI is a bad idea as you can ruin the contents if it trips for a trivial reasons.
If you are worried do not hoot outlets on the load but use separate GFCIs. That way the leak current is less and also if something trips it does not stop any other devices.
The 5 mA trip current is IMO too low. We have 30 mA in Europe and therefore less problems.
Hi, I have a question? Do we need to have a ground line bond between the GFCI outlet back to the metal box housing? Thank you.
How do you identify which is the 'first' outlet on the circuit? And once you put a GFCI on it is it better to replace the subsequent 2-prong outlets with 3-prong outlets or just use the 2 to 3 prong adapters?
Turn power off to the circuit at circuit breaker. Take apart an outlet, seperate the wires. Restore power at breaker. If the other outlets in the circuit are dead, you found the top of the circuit. It will often be closest to circuit breaker panel
Hire a professional!
@@donaldhinson7144 Thanks to UA-cam, most people can get buy without professionals, their high prices and "we know best" attitudes. Good riddance.
@@sbearly As an electrical guy, I know that you do not need years of training to put a wire under a screw and tighten. I believe that most electrical guys want to see the job done correctly, bestest job that can be done.
Let me pain his scenario: a partyat your house and "he bar tender" friend plugs in a blender into a badly connected outlet. They get shocked. Over night hospital stay for monitoring. Who pays the hospital bill? They will sue the home owner and their insurance company. Now, in your state, if the house was not built to code, permits, etc, does the insurance company get to bow out and leave the home owner on the hook alone?
That $100 dollars you would have given the electrician could be used up bathe time your lawyer finishes their coffee.
As far as learning from UA-cam videos.....was it an electrical pro or some guy with a wrench and a screwdriver?
Be safe out there.
One last question,
"If knowledge is the treasure that you can give away all you have and still have all you started with." did you steal from a pro if you get theirs?
@@sbearly Yeah you can learn a tremendous amount from UA-cam and the internet all here on your smartphone. Based on your original questions you haven't learned much, at least not yet. More humility would be beneficial, be careful.
For DIY work I gladly pay a little extra for the commercial outlets. Much easier to make a secure connection.
Same here... I won't install residential grade anymore. It's just not worth it.
@@TopHomeownerCan't really argue with that logic, but the residential receptacles are fine if not back stabbed and the plug is rarely removed as in a TV, for example.
For sure, but, the difference is like 50c an outlet if you're doing enough, which even if you were redoing outlets in an entire house, you're talking tens of dollars at most. Well worth it to not have an outlet wear out in 5-10yrs of heavy use
If the 2 prong receptacle is in a metal box fed by metal armored cable (BX), the box/cable usually provides a ground. Once you have confirmed that the BX armor is in fact connected to ground, can't you simply connect the ground of a standard 3-prong outlet to the box/cable? wouldn't that be a safe installation?
I'd say yes as long as all the mc cable connectors along the way remain tight. If you plug in a receptacle tester and it tests good and there's no "bootleg ground" then you're probably good.
hank you for the very helpful video.
All the outlets in my home office (from the 60s) now have CFGIs. You said that for certain devices (I worry about my Macbook and guitar amps) you MUST use a grounded outlet. Since it is not an option for me would a quality power bar with an integrated breaker provide some additional protection? Or is the type of protection these bars are made for unrelated to issues pertaining to grounding?
Just where did you get the idea that you must have a grounded outlet. From the manual? That is put there for all devices, sometimes even on double insulated ones. No computer requires a grounded outlet. Laptops are extra low voltage devices. Anything beyond the power supply is isolated from the mains.
Only point of using a power bar is that if you have several devices the bar levels the potential between them but a double socket does the same for two.
thank you, great video! I did add on to my house years ago and regret not rewired the older portion of the house. I am planning to install GFCI in the two rooms that has ungrounded wire. However, I do have questions: the two ungrounded room has ungrounded wires but using a 3 prongs outlet. I was told that it is not safe doing that but isn't it the same as using an adaptor (3 into 2)? Also, other options is to grond the few important outlet by adding a gound wire which is a "smaller" job than to rewire the entire. I will like to know what you think before I jump into it. Many thanks. Or, anyone who viewed this comment and provide a helpful advice. (unfortunately, I can't afford to rewire all the rooms that has ungrounded wire at this moment)
The issue with using 3 prong outlets that aren't grounded is the assumption they are. GFCI will add a layer of safety for you. I'm not a fan of cheater plugs (3 into 2) either.
@TopHomeowner thank you. I had an electrician that came to replace some old receptacles and when I suggested installing GFCI for some of the outlets, he said that it s not a good idea since I am using strp surge protector . is that true?
Great video! I appreciate you taking time and making these videos. I have a question on GFCI outlets. My house mainly has 2 prong outlets and I"m looking to change them with 3 prong. Should I change all the outlets with GFCI receptacles? Thanks
According to the NEC code, installing a GFCI for safety reasons is an acceptable alternative. I would verify there are no local codes against that won't allow it, or any other reason why installing GFCI might no be a good idea in your case.
Other videos said to place the GFCI on the first outlet in the circuit. But I have not easy way to figure out what that first one is. Can I just replace every outlet with GFCI?
Yes, but do not then the the load side of the outlets. Do not chain GFCIs. That can cause problems.
Everyone says, if you are going to DIY this, to put the GFCI on the first receptacle of the circuit. How do you identify what the first receptacle on a circuit is? I do not have Supermans xray vision.
I just released a video on that here: ua-cam.com/video/22fuHMwiYgE/v-deo.html
I was looking into the same thing, but hit this, which you do not cover in this video: NEC 406.4D makes it clear that replacement of receptacles requires arc-fault protection (AFCI). There is no exception for 2-prong. Beginning..."Replacement of receptacles shall comply with 406.4(D)(1) through (D)(7), as applicable. Arc-fault circuit-interrupter type and ground-fault circuit-interrupter type receptacles shall be installed in a readily accessible location..." Note that it also specifically disallows the AFCI exception under 210.12D. AFCI requirements vary by region, so check the local code, but the NEC is painfully clear about this-since 2014, from what I read. (And then there is tamper resistance, but that's another issue...)
Great points! Always check what the local code is. The adopted version of the NEC can vary a lot from area to area
I'm trying to rewire my 2plug plug-in with a gsi or gfi breaker switch plug-in and I have 5 wires, 2black, 2white & one red? I have no idea where to
wire them in?
But on the adapter won't the faceplate screw through the tab provide a ground if the box and conduit are metal?
Yes, as long as the conduit is continuous and the panel is wired correctly. In many homes built before 1970 a separate ground wire was attached to the outside of each metal box to provide ground even though the receptacle was 2 prong and the main cable has only hot and neutral wires. You can verify this by using a receptacle tester plugged into the adapter. If it reads "open ground" then no dice. If it reads "correct" then one of those methods of grounding was used.
I live in an old house that is wired kinda crazy, meaning the rooms that have more than one outlet, are wired to different circuits, so it's hard to tell what's the first receptacle on a specific circuit. I need to have my 2 prong receptacle, on my front porch, replaced with a 3 prong, but want to do it in a legal, safe, way that provides protection, any advice?!?
Always check local electrical codes first, but you should be able to install a WR (weather rated) GFCI receptacle for your porch. It won't provide a true ground but it will provide protection from shorts. Also, if the receptacle isn't protected from the elements, I'd recommend installing a weatherproof cover too.
@@TopHomeowner My front porch is closed in, btw. Thank u!
If it is just one receptacle there is no problem. You can just change it and use pigtails. This will protect it but not affect any other receptacle.
My house is grounded to cold water pipes throughout the basement. The panel is bonded to the pipe. There's 3 bedrooms upstairs that has floating grounds. All other receptacles are grounded. The kitchen actually home runs to the panel. Same with the outside receptacles. There's nothing but lamps and phone chargers in those bedrooms. They can be changed back to 2 prong. The painter changed those out and shouldn't have.
There ARE, not is three bedrooms...that HAVE
All houses are grounded to the water pipe But that has nothing to do with outlets so I don't understand what you were talking about
The grounds to the water pipe are so you don't get shocked when you're in the shower or using a sink has nothing to do with the outlets at all lol
@@AB-dl1hz it is true that water pipes have been used in the past as actual grounding electrodes themselves, being that they make direct contact with the earth.
@@jessebellino9780 All water pipes have a cable on them that goes to the lightning rod
Where can I find my local electrical code ?
Question, I seen a while back, that if you have a metal box, you can install a ground wire to the box. Is this legal and can you do this with GF outlets
Only works if the metal box is already grounded.
For country that has screw terminals on the side of there sockets with no finger protection - something most countrys probably got rid off half a century ago, You should of been using ground on all sockets.
Doesn't the GFI only provide protection in the case of water? That is why they are in kitchens and bathrooms. How is this any more safe?
GFI provides ground fault protection so if you want to add an extra layer of safety to a home wired without ground, it's an alternative option.
thank you for this one! this really helped me get to understand the terms since i really know nothing abt electrical stuff. also wanted to ask if using a cheap 3 to 2 prong adapter to connect a heavy duty 3 prong surge protector will do more harm to the surge protector incase of surges?
by cheap 3 to 2 prong converter i meant the one like on your video. (found one here in an online mall shop for only $1)
For a surge protector to work properly it needs a ground. That's because any excess voltage needs to go somewhere, and instead of your devices it dumps it through the ground wire. I hope that helps!
Could a person run a single ground wire, from the outlet, to another outlet that does have a ground? Or, directly to the ground rod on the outside of the house? Is this unsafe, or ineffective?
@Paulina Romanovsky My house is a mess. Only the kitchen, shed, and part of the basement actually home run to the panel box. They grounded this house on several locations to cold water pipes. The pipe is bonded to the electrical panel. There's also a ground rod at the meter. Plumbers are not allowed to run PEX as they would interrupt a ground path somewhere. I'm guessing this was done in the 1980's code at that time. GFCI wasn't required at the time except for washing machines and outdoor receptacles. Is this safe?
* If the two different receptacles are on the same circuit, yes, a ground wire can be run to the outlet/ receptacle with the ground wire, and that should meet code. If on 2 different circuits, no.
* Could the ground wire be run directly to the ground rod? Yes, if that is the grounding point used for the breaker box. No, if the ground rod is not the grounding point for the breaker box; otherwise, a ground loop circuit would be created.
A simple ground rod will do nothing without a GFCI. Did you forget that the ground wire needs to be connected to the neutral. That is what provides the protection, not any rod.
Yo can run a wire from known ground under the same panel like a grounded socket.
Does the GFCI test button work when installed in an ungrounded circuit?
Yes, the test button will still work. GFCI "testers", the devices you can plug in to test, won't work though.
2 aspects of gfci's not discussed in this video:
Cost ..... is a breaker or a recepticle cheaper for the same protection?
Location.....some homes have the electrical panel in the basement and a 3rd floor bathroom. The neighborhood kids may not enjoy the show as "NAKED MAN" runs down to reset the gfci and returns to finish with the blow dryer.
These two aspects may have you doing a far different installation than you originally planned.
So if I were to plug a surge protected power strip into a GFCI that's replaced a non grounded two prong outlet will my electronics be safe? Also will the GFCI flip if the surge protected power strip is overloaded?
No.
A typical surge protector has varistors between all three contacts so they work also without grounding.
If I have 3 outlets that are ungrounded and they each have only 2 wires so not connected in a circuit. So do I need to put GFCI on all 3 outlets?
Yes, if each one only has on pair of wires in the box, then you would need 3 GFCI receptacles.
I've been reading a lot about this, because sadly I can't afford a house so I have to rent and most apartments in my country are old and owners don't bother to rewire their apartments to comply with modern standards out of ignorance. And the average Joe doesn't care, so none does nothing. Anyway for what I've read these GFCIs are only for your personal protection, not your devices, computers and so, they are meant to be installed in places like bathrooms, basements and places where water and humidity is prevalent and a risk. They won't do anything for your PC or video game console.
In my country Mexico we have a problem with dirty and unstable power delivery, so buying power conditioners are a must for all households. No one ever connects anything directly to the wall. So in our case, that's the best way to protects our electronics.
So I don't know, what do you guys think about this?.
nice video......thumbs up..n subscr..question is there a difference bettween a gfi & a gfci??????i have on ole house thats mainly ole black romex..no ground wire..so i put gfi-s in...restroom n kitchen..is this okay???its been years no problems yet.
GFI and GFCI are the same
will the GFCI outlet safe to use with knob and tube wiring?
I would consult with a licensed electrician about your situation
Since this will pass code, can you convert an entire house by using GFCI breakers in the service panel?
If your panel will accept GFCI breakers than yes. We had an older house where that wasn't an option and was told the entire panel needed to be upgraded. Always double check local codes to make sure too.
Who said that this will pass code? The clown who admitted that he is NOT an electrician?
@@donaldhinson7144 This is a common practice. It's also listed somewhere in the National Electrical Code as 'acceptable' and many local jurisdictions. Maybe you want to check it before you cop an attitude.
@@jimaiello750
Up yours.
@@jimaiello750 "...somewhere in the code????????". Where??
Would I be able to safely plug my space heater in with the GFI? I have an old drafty house with one room (bedroom) that is freezing in Winter - thanks
The ground adds protection against electrocution, so a GFCI would do the same in this case. Ideally your space heater would have a plastic case and not have exposed metal to add even more protection.
What if I hammered a ground rod into the ground and ran a ground wire just to the few outlets that I need to use for equipment ground? I can do this from the crawl space but rewiring the house is a task far too cumbersome
@Kevin Don't waste your time as that will accomplish nothing. The ground wire aka equipment grounding conductor must be bonded to the neutral wire at the main panel in order to complete the circuit and trip the breaker if a ground fault occurs. What you're describing is sort of a grounding electrode conductor, but must be connected from the service panel, not from a receptacle. They're serve two different purposes.
Hi there, rewiring an old house electrical wiring. 3 gang box im using coz 2 switch and 1 outlet. But the old wiring only shows : first set which the black is the hot wire with 2 yellow wires. Then 2nd set only got one black and one yellow. How can i do this? Thanks in advanced.
What's a "coz"?
Would it be ok to use one of those adapters with an window ac unit
I wouldn't recommend using an adapter in that case. Especially since the window AC unit is exposed to water outside
@@TopHomeowner yea i talked to somebody about it my centeral ac was out all week but good thing it was decent at night
Don't forget in the code if you change any outlet it is required to be arc fault protected too.
Arne, Which year NEC is that required?
@@KevinCoop1 I believe it started in the 2017 code cycle.
@@arnehelland6015 It’s been a long time ago that I did residential! Retired 2018. Pulled NEC and found it originated in 2011 406.4(D)(4) which says must have AFCI. And was effective January 1, 2014. Thanks! Kevin
If I install a GFCI receptacle on the first outlet of a circuit, can I replace all other 2 prong outlets on the same circuit with regular 3 prong outlets?
Yes. The GFCI will protect the rest in the circuit. Just be sure to add "No Ground" stickers to the other receptacle covers.
But wouldn't you need to link the ground prongs on all the outlets to the GFCI for it to be effective? How would the GFCI detect a ground fault on a downstream outlet otherwise?
Ok. So I just found the answer to my own question and realized that you covered it in your first video, but I didn't process what you meant when you said it. I'd like to clarify for anyone asking the same question. The GFCI doesn't actually use the ground prongs to detect a ground fault, instead it detects a differential in the current flow between the phase and neutral wire which indicates that power is leaking to ground somewhere in the circuit. It won't actually prevent an electrical shock entirely, rather it will detect the fault (i.e. you getting shocked by the faulting appliance) very quickly and will disconnect the circuit preventing a prolonged electrocution. This certainly seems to be more of a potential life saving measure as apposed to an appliance saving measure. I feel like all home circuits should have GFCIs, otherwise a faulting appliance will simply dump current into ground and drive up your power bill without any indication to the homeowner that there is anything wrong.
The tab on the 2-prong to 3-prong adapter does indeed bond to the grounding pin. The theory is to run the center cover plate screw through the tab, but that would only provide a (somewhat inadequate) ground if the receptacle box was metal and itself grounded. In general, using a 2-to-3 prong adapter is a terrible idea from a safety point of view. It is the non-destructive equivalent of cutting off a grounding pin.
It can be even worse. Lets say you use two of them and one does ground through the screw but the other does not. Now you have created a dangerous situation where you have grounded and ungrounded devices side by side. If the ungrounded fails and you touch both at the same time you can get a very dangerous shock.
Remember it takes 50 amps to reliably and immediately trip a breaker but just 0.1 amps to kill. Poor grounding can be more dangerous than no grounding,.
Some laptop chargers only use 2prong
If you install a GFCI receptacle at the first receptacle and plug in a GFCI tester in the next downstream receptacle and hit the test button it won’t trip the GFCI
Why?
Of course it won't. There is nowhere where the tester could divert the current. You must totally forget external testers with this installation. You must use the test button. In fact that is always the only proper way to test GFCIs.
Do you have to replace everyone two prong outlet, with a three prong.
It depends. If your circuit is wired in a daisy chained fashion (using the receptacle as a connector) then you'll only need a gfci at the first receptacle, once you determine which one that is, and all the downstream receptacles would be connected to the Load of the gfci. The downstream receptacles would be changed to regular 3 prong. Not really difficult to do.
If your receptacles are wired using pigtails, making each receptacle independent of a previous one, then yes, you would need a gfci at every one. It's possible to do otherwise, but impractical because the labor cost and if you don't know what you're doing it could be a mess.
You do not need to replace any one of them. You can replace as many as you want, one or all or anything between. Just make sure that they are GFCI protected and marked appropriately.
the entire wiring on my parents house is burried in cement, its pretty gad damn impossible to update all the 2 prong outlets.
Oh man, that's ridiculous!
@@TopHomeowner yeah so now im looking for other ways to put ground on the sockets
Thanks for your thorough and clear explanations. I have a home built in 1958. It has two prong outlets. But I seem to recall when replacing a light switch that there is a third wire coming out of the power cable and it is screwed to the box. Is that the ground? And if it is then can I just replace the two prong outlet with a three? Or do GFCI outlets have a place to attach the ground (3rd) wire and then it will be a grounded outlet? Thanks.
My house was built in '56 but a large dormer was added on later. The lower floor all has two wire Romex, but the second floor has metal boxes with ground wires connected directly to the box. This is not up to current code, but better than no ground.
I had the service brought up to 100A and added GFI outlets to the three circuits coming up through the bedroom directly above the panel, plus the kitchen - the bathroom already had a GFI.
@@mlconley Where did the ground wires originate? If from the box to the outlet, then did they attach a ground from the box to the GFI outlet?
I’m begging if theirs other 2 prong outlets and one gets replaced first on circuit to a gfci all 2 prong outlets also have gfci protection but you need a cheaters adapter lol
You won't need a cheaters adapter if you change the downstream receptacles to 3-prong. The GFCI comes with stickers "No Equipment Ground" and you would place them on all the new receptacle covers including the GFCI.
⚡NEC 406.4 (D)(2)(b) ⚡
Please see the comment from
Paulina Romanovsky
Took you a year almost to respond and lol and now you have all the answers
Its not acceptable for any receptical not to be back stabed they need to just engineer things better please
Don't mess with a 2 prong outlet. Put a plug-in GFCI adapter in the socket. No wiring and no electrician.
Is this serious or some sort of comedy, I'm thankful that I have lived in the UK (GB) since 1952 with our MK three-pin plugs and sockets, that never got hot or sparked and with the earth wired in.
No comedy and sometimes a source of rather heated debates.
Hello mate. It is somewhat of a joke. So many people want to do electrical work with little to no training. I wonder if they do the surgery on themselves and family members or if they go to a real doctor?
You can easily ground that without a ground wire. Off the neutral line.
No, that is not safe and is illegal aka a "bootleg ground". Neutral and ground are connected (bonded) at the main panel and nowhere else.
Noooooooo! A neutral is NOT a ground. A neutral wire is a conductor.