Fix Open Ground Outlets Without Rewiring Your House

Open Ground/ungrounded outlets are very common in older homes. Unfortunately, they can pose a safety hazard. A GFI outlet can remedy that by providing fault protection.

[@surferdude642]

At 2:45 and other times you refer to "top" for making the incoming power connections. It could depend on the manufacturer. Incoming power always goes to the LINE side and if you want to protect downstream and if you have 4 wires in the box, connect the downstream wires to the LOAD which is under the tape. This is clearly marked on all gfci' receptacles. I recommend using GFCI's designated as "slim" or "slim design" as this task is likely to be done on an older home with smaller boxes. Good job, overall.

[@HomeRapidRepair]

Thank you for watching and sharing your knowledge 🛠️🛠️

[@PatrickEArchuleta-fs8bv]

You should always make sure all wires are in just a piece can mess a breaker or outlets switches.and tape around it .God bless.

[@HomeRapidRepair]

Thank you 🛠️🛠️

[@tonywalden3284]

why didnt he just connect the present unconnected ground wire?

[@HomeRapidRepair]

@@tonywalden3284 good eyes 👀. Because I’m making a demonstration educational video 😊

[@MichaelMccluskey]

All you did was make it a very expensive ungrounded outlet.... You have not protected any of your electrical devices, This is only necessary if you are near water.

[@HomeRapidRepair]

The code departments are allowing it because they don’t want a three prong open ground receptacle so they consider this fault protected ungrounded outlet a good measure…

[@vickynoname9860]

@@MichaelMccluskey 🤣🤣🤣You gotta be kidding. That GFI protects you from a fire. As long as the first outlet on the wiring is GFI protected the rest of the outlet will be protected from a fire.

[@merlinmage6012]

Nice i didnt know these existed this will be cheaper than having to rewire house and save of repairs. I would recomend this if youre not grounded for washers and fridges amd such incase of fault you dont get electrecuted to death as those devices pull alot of power compared to none grounded devices.

[@HomeRapidRepair]

Awesome. Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment 👍🏼🛠️

[@0341misfit]

Okay, so it sounded like when you install this, only one outlet will work. Did I hear correct or will both outlets work? Just bought an older house and need to put in some of these. Thank you.

[@HomeRapidRepair]

Both outlets will work. When you pull out the old outlet you will likely see additional wires in the box carrying power to other outlets. If you connect these to the top of the new GFI…only the new GFI outlet will have protection. If you remove the factory yellow sticker for the lower connection and wire the down stream outlets there, then those downstream outlets will also have protection. 😊🛠️🛠️

[@carlsands4060]

Very well explained 👏

[@HomeRapidRepair]

Glad you liked it. Thank you for watching 😊🛠️🛠️

[@tammykonarski6528]

What is the name brand of the gfci that you used. I want to make sure I get the correct one. And I like how the outlet cover comes with it. Thank you

[@HomeRapidRepair]

This one is from Menards. It’s called Smart Electrician : www.menards.com/main/electrical/light-switches-dimmers-outlets/electrical-outlets/smart-electrician-reg-self-test-gfci-outlet/9241-15wh/p-1490250024908-c-9526.htm

[@coccosoids]

So what was the fix?! The grouding is there to protect you first and foremost and your exquipment. It looks to me like you could've just put the sticker on the old outlet.

[@HomeRapidRepair]

GFCI safety outlets give you fault protection even without grounding. Code officials, home inspectors, and rental departments all approve of this method.

[@tpa3437]

GFCI does a better job at protecting you than ground. The current need to reach the breaker rating to trip with the ground, with GFCI a very small current change not returning trips it. You can argue some circonstances are safer with ground but in general IMO GFCI best.

[@HomeRapidRepair]

@@tpa3437 You explained it way better than me. Great points 😊

[@ricker76er]

@@tpa3437 breakers and GFCI work completely differently. Breakers are for overcurrent, and GFCI are for ground faults. Two different failure modes. A GFCI will not stop an overcurrent situation. So I wouldn’t necessarily say one is better than the other as it is an apples to oranges comparison.

[@immrnoidall]

Can someone please help? I have an inverter/with charger. It's an UPS . I noticed the tester said "open ground" whenpluged into a grounded home outlet. and while unplugged and running on batteries. So I looked inside. neither the 120 input plug or output outlets, have anything connected to the ground terminals. Is there any safe way to use this for the power in my camper? The metal case of this inverter has no ground either. I see nothing about a ground on the AC part of the board inside. this seems dangerous. can I just go through a gfi? Should I at least run a ground wire from that grounded house plug, over to the inverters outlets? and put a ground fault interupter outlet in? Ireally hate to just trow it out after paying $200.

[@HomeRapidRepair]

Honestly, I think you’ll be OK as is. Please keep in mind all the millions and millions of homes built before approximately 1965 were all ungrounded anyways.

[@kf5hcr176]

It's probably isolated via the transformer, so no ground . In fact my inverter source advised against grounding the inverter as there might be voltages on the chassis ground you might not expect. I'd always use a GFCI, but a ground , according to this presenter, is not needed.

[@leaphorse3402]

I like the video and your attitude by looking at your replies. I installed an outlet by connecting the power from a 3-way light switch. The switch only has power(black), traveler wires(black and red), and one ground. The neutral was covered behind the wainscoting. I connected black wire from switch(black screw) to gfci line, brass screw. White wire connected to silver screw in switch to silver screw on gfci line in. Both ground wires were connected. When the light switch is on, the gfci tested wiring correctly. When the light is off, gfci tested hot and ground reversed. I was afraid this could cause trouble and just disconnected the wires from the switch side. Do you think it is safe for this wiring? Thanks a lot!

[@HomeRapidRepair]

In over 24 years I’ve never heard of an outlet on a 3-way circuit. I can’t recommend this. Thank you for watching and your thoughtful comments 😊

[@AffinityPhoto]

1- this doesn’t work for devices like my UPS that look for and refuse to work if a true ground isn’t present. 2- my apartment owner had a crew rework my kitchen and updated the panel. They also went throughout the 2-bedroom unit and removed all of the old (1960) 2-prong outlets and added ungrounded 3-prong. I thought that was not to code (WA State) but I’m measuring varying voltages between hot and the new ground pin in 50-90Vac. What’s up with that? Simple induction with no current? I suspect the renovation was done without permits or inspection. Feels dangerous..

[@HomeRapidRepair]

Thank you for sharing. I’m sure you’re right about them cutting corners and not using electricians ⚡️⚡️

[@AffinityPhoto]

@@HomeRapidRepair do you think the voltage between hot and ground is just stray induction?

[@HomeRapidRepair]

@@AffinityPhoto I’m not sure, but it’s definitely not good. You should report it.

[@Thrillishere]

lol the fall good video for informative

[@HomeRapidRepair]

Glad you liked it! 😂

[@dhh488]

The GFCI's are bigger, so they are a tight fit in the boxes.

[@HomeRapidRepair]

Yes you’re right…100% true 🛠️🛠️

[@crazysquirrel9425]

Especially in 'standard' boxes with multiple wires. Try that with 3 sets of wires, all with ground wires too. Better eat your Wheaties so you have the strength to force those wires back in.

[@HomeRapidRepair]

@@crazysquirrel9425 🤫don’t tell anyone…I may have used tools before to shove stubborn wires back into boxes 💪🏼😳⚡️

[@crazysquirrel9425]

@@HomeRapidRepair 20 oz hammer, stick of wood....AND PRAY that nothing gets messed up....

[@VOLTRONDEFENDER4440]

I could have made a GFCI outlet extension that can use a cheater plug for 2 prong to make it into 3 prong while meeting code marked temporarily no equipment ground, or I could do a gfci extension that dosent have ground and mark it as no equipment ground simply!

[@GH-oi2jf]

It is difficult to find a receptacle without a ground. It seems to me it is better to have a two-prong receptacle than one with an unconnected ground.

[@HomeRapidRepair]

Yes, you are correct. They still sell two prong outlets. It’s just people find them too inconvenient and they think your house is very old when they see that. So it makes them feel better when they see three prong outlets however it is deceiving if that three prong outlet is not grounded. Thanks for watching. 😊🏠

[@michaeleronini]

Great video. Thank you!

[@HomeRapidRepair]

Thank you....best comment I've seen all day. Glad you liked it!

[@mplscarsales6652]

Got a question so there’s a outlet in my home that’s has a fan connected to it whenever I switch fan to off position it makes the room lights flicker for half a second in main bedroom and a second bedroom then everything back to normal what can that be ?

[@HomeRapidRepair]

My initial guess is the flicking you were seeing is downstream of the fan outlet. When you get a second, you might want to turn off the power and pull that fan outlet out slightly and just inspect that all the wiring and screws are still tight and intact.

[@mplscarsales6652]

@@HomeRapidRepairThank you sir

[@2hunnedproof247]

@@mplscarsales6652voltage drop because it’s overloaded

[@williamwesley6547]

Great video.........Thanks!

[@HomeRapidRepair]

Thank you so much. Glad you liked it! 😊

[@SergioHernandez-su2mr]

Can i do that in the garage ?

[@HomeRapidRepair]

Yes 100%. Go for it 🏠🛠️

[@bam1175]

Can I use GFCI on a knob tube outlet thanks

[@HomeRapidRepair]

Yes, absolutely. You will be improving the safety. 👍🏼🛠️

[@virgilsmith5792]

what happened to the second set of wires?

[@HomeRapidRepair]

That’s a fair question. I did this video a while ago so I don’t remember. I imagine I didn’t use them for this demonstration portion of the video. If you want downstream outlet protection, use the lower load section of the new GFI outlet. Or if you only want individual protection…install each set of wires at the top connections only ofthe new GFI outlet. 😊🛠️🛠️

[@chary0719]

Great video!

[@HomeRapidRepair]

Thank you. That’s the best comment I’ve read all day 😊🛠️

[@crazysquirrel9425]

Some electronics need ground for reference. One could run just a ground wire from an outlet to a metal water pipe. GFCI's come in white, Ivory, and gray. NONE come in brown. About cheater plugs: Some metal boxes were grounded but only had an ungrounded outlet. The little tab was supposed to be under the center screw so you had a ground through the outlet housing. Some had a green wire - same usage. Those stickers are UGLY. And no way to ensure they STAY on. Haven't found any store that sells only the stickers. What if you break the cover? Does that mean you spend another $20 for a new GFCI just to have that stinking sticker? Or knuckle head painters too drunk to mask off the outlets so they do not paint over them?

[@HomeRapidRepair]

All good points and 100% valid. Here the rental department will not approve you if the stickers aren’t in place on your open ground outlets.

[@VOLTRONDEFENDER4440]

how GFCIs work with no ground is it wants the same amps going from the outlet back to the outlet the same current if it dosent detect the same current it will trip!!!

[@HomeRapidRepair]

Thank you for watching 😊🛠️

[@MichaelMccluskey]

As a professional electrician for 25 years. I'm very concerned that you're misleading People to think that this is a fix for an ungrounded outlet.

[@HomeRapidRepair]

Our code inspectors and rental department approves 3 prong GFCI outlets with open ground and labeled. Thanks for watching

[@tb-xy7lg]

This is a" fix" though. Most people don't want to pay to have a ground wire run to each outlet, or new wiring run all together. My home in California would not pass inspection until I changed out some of the ungrounded 3 prong outlets with GFCI outlets. I had to put a label on them as well "no equipment ground". So your electronics are compromised. But you are at least safe. I was quoted $23,000 to run new wire to 11 outlets. And apparently that is a good deal, because 2 other places quoted me $25500 and $27,000. So yes, this IS a fix to some people. Also, it really concerns me that you have been an electrician for 25years and are saying this is not a fix. Why did the city inspector tell me this was a perfectly safe remedy? Why did the 3 electricians that gave me quotes also state that GFCI in place would be a route I could take as well?

[@EdingardSIGMA]

@@tb-xy7lg Just because someone is certified, has a degree, or whatever does not mean their knowledge is absolute. He is probably an electrician that is not very smart and just barely got his certification with the bare minimum passing grade requirement.

[@Veryunluckyman56689]

😂😂😂the person that wrote this comment and said he’s a 25 year experienced electrician sure sounds like a person that when he shows up to your home,he’ll ridiculously quote you. Gfci is the safest most affordable way to replace a 2 prong outlet. A lot of people that buy homes,can barely maintain their homes. As long as the amps and voltage goes accordingly to the wiring,nothing should go wrong. But then again! People like the experienced 25 years electrician here,when they see that you have no knowledge of the topic,they scare you around,feeding stories about everything that can go wrong.😂😂😂. I’m not a profesional, but one time i got quoted $150,to replace a 15amp/125 volts receptacle. Plus $12 for the receptacle. Little that he knew! I was just proving a point to my wife. All i did was buy a receptacle($2dollars),and placed correctly the neutral wire on the neutral screw,the hot on the hot,and the ground on the ground,and wrapped it with electrical tape. 8 years later,and i’m still laughing about the $160 dollars that i saved.😂😂😂

[@ivyward1409]

You are lazy, the wire was showing which can cause problems according to other electricians on you tube, you should put electrical tape. Please don’t watch this guy. HE IS DANGEROUS.

[@HomeRapidRepair]

Ha ha. I’m going to leave your comment up rather than banning you from public view. I have been a licensed contractor for 24 years and I own multiple businesses. In no way am I lazy 😂