How to Ground a Two-Prong Electrical Outlet | Ask This Old House

[@bobperlman4051]

I’ve heard elsewhere that you’re not supposed to run Romex through conduit; just run the THHN wires instead. Never heard a good explanation of why, though.

[@BillyBobDingledorf]

I once had a master electrician tell me to never run Romex through conduit, as it can result in overheating. I just did some checking and, while a very good idea, that's not entirely true. Code says you can run Romex through conduit as long as the wire, including the Romex sheathing, doesn't take more than 53% of the space. The Romex in the video was yellow, so very likely 12/2. For 12/2 Romex, that comes to about a 3/4" conduit. The conduit in the video could have very well been 3/4" However, it would have been great if ToH would have addressed something that many people, including myself, would question. Even though it is code compliant, why choose to do something that most electricians would not. I'm guessing that given the conduit in question is metal and it's not surrounded by insulation, heat isn't an issue and using Romex may be the easy (lazy?) approach. Not calling these guys lazy. A lazy person like me would just have gone the GFCI route and called it a day.

[@keywestjimmy]

Another code violation is cutting the insulation off of Romex and running UNLABLED wires through conduit.

[@Thumbsdwn]

BEWARE! Just because you turn off the main breaker does not mean that there "are no energized parts in the panel." The two mains coming in from the meter will still be hot, so you do still have to be careful while working with the cover off.

[@brm901]

i think houses should have an electric main panel outside or in the first floor that is giving to the rest of the house panels (this one won't have anything except being a safety mesure to turn off when working on the others)

[@isaiah4478]

@@brm901 houses usually have a breaker At the meter before this panel that you can shut off

[@josephrobi6806]

@@brm901 i have that outside my house. 2 breakers

[@jackpast]

@@isaiah4478 never had this in 45 years and owning 5 houses. The distance from your meter to your panel determines if you have a disconnect outside the panel. Otherwise, pulling the meter is the only way to isolate main panel.

[@16BitDoggo]

Didn't they delete you?

[@lloydmills9619]

This was the right repair done the right way. The cost in the description is low but it's probably an old video.

[@michaelruskey2311]

Not in the Midwest. If I did that job it would of billed at $250 ‐$300. Been in buisness since 1996 so I don't need to lowball either.

[@moutrap]

I actually like the new guy Heath a lot. Clear, concise and seems to know what he's doing

[@williamwinder3466]

Oh, he knows exactly what he's doing.

[@miguelteran747]

Noo he don't, electrical is not his thing

[@tcpnetworks]

Seems he's gone though. Scott Caron is back. Much more animated and enjoyable to watch.

[@moutrap]

@@tcpnetworks I don't think he's gone, on youtube they are simply not replaying the video in the filmed order

[@alfredretana6987]

Thanks for the simple and spot on explanation. The irony is that it is so simple and you can’t get anyone to state the obvious instead they make it confusing and complicated. Though I’m 63 years old I just completed an electricians course and obviously don’t consider myself an electrician. I know there will be plenty of learning to do and will proceed with caution but just this simple explanation makes a difference. Thanks again.

[@TheBeowulf55]

that little drill dust collector is nice

[@marlinweekley51]

I want one. Not sure why but i am sure i NEED it 😆

[@methus57]

I don't know. just let the stuff fall to the ground & let the homeowner clean it up

[@coachtim6188]

My thoughts exactly

[@ourmusicsmajor]

It looked like a bunch of dust fell out of the bottom when he pulled it away from the wall anyway lol! Check it again and let me know if you see it

[@ZPdrumer]

@@ourmusicsmajor it looks like there’s a small vacuum port on it but it was covered

[@Sawta]

Just setup a socket with GFCI so I can get the dehumidifier running in a basement! Not skilled enough/have the equipment to change out the entire line, but I appreciate the video, and that they showed you how to. Might attempt it when I'm a bit more competent. Now on to 50 other things I've gotta do for this place! :D

[@davidhemphill2409]

I love how Heath and the rest of the TOS crew can take what can sometimes be an overwhelming or confusing topic and simplify it down with practical and relatable demonstrations. If I'm not 100% sure about something, I always turn to TOS first. Would love to buy everyone at TOS a "cold one" for the knowledge and confidence I've acquired from them over the years!

[@BlackSwan912]

This electrician is good. I like him. Fast, efficient, thorough.

[@torobravo8023]

BlackSwan912 Agree

[@miguelteran747]

Lol dude he sucks

[@BlackSwan912]

miguel teran Why don’t you tell us why, so you don’t come across as a troll? I wired 16 new circuits and almost 100 boxes, and got enthusiastic thumbs up from the inspectors, all of them. He covered pretty much everything without bogging down in minutiae.

[@mattv16031]

Quick question, which is the proper way to connect the outlet? Black to gold and white to silver or the other way around?

[@torobravo8023]

Matt von Linden Black to gold, white to silver

[@rollingthunder277]

I purchased an older house (1959) with two conductor wiring throughout. Lived in it for a few years but when I installed an outdoor pool requiring additional grounding, I installed a grounding "pad" for the pool. Since I was at it, I did the same thing for the house. I dropped 5 8 ft. copper dowels around the house and took separate ground wire to each of the receptacles. Every receptacle had it's own discrete ground after each receptacle was replaced. I used the existing wiring in the house because too many walls would have to have been torn up. I was now up to code and safe. Then again, this was 30 years ago and I'm certain codes have been updated...but it worked and has worked for an additional 3 decades.

[@coloradostrong]

@m rapacki Only 4 in the one I am in. With screw-in fuses and a 60 amp mains coming in. The linemen I talked to had never heard of a 60 amp incoming wire. WTF 😂 🤣

[@gregorymark6014]

Good video, thanks. Note that the dryer is a gas dryer. A washer and a gas dryer can be on the same dedicated 120V 20A circuit. An electric dryer requires a dedicated 240V circuit, typically 30A using 10-gauge 4-wire cable (10-3 with ground), which for residential in the USA color-coded orange.

[@ToolDeals]

I was wondering how that thing was being powered by a regular outlet! Thanks.

[@RichardFallstich]

How many NEMA 10-30R dryer receptacles have you installed?? Only 3 total terminals, 2 "hot" wires and earth. No neutral used or needed on electric dryers. No place for an orange wire to go.

[@robertopics]

@@RichardFallstich on some ovens you can have 4 wires on some others you are required to have a neutral and ground, i imagine there migh be some dryers that might call for 4 wires.

[@RichardFallstich]

@@robertopics What you say about ovens is true. But the post was about a dryer. I NEVER saw a 4-wire dryer. Dryers typically do not need a neutral. Moreover, since the 1996 NEC (250.60) grounding equipment such as ranges and dryers to a neutral conductor is NOT permitted. So now ALL 250V ovens need 4 wires (earth, neutral, hot, hot) with a NEMA 14-50 type device. Existing installations are not required to be changed if they were in compliance of the NEC at the time the installation.

[@ThePruneface]

Wexercise

[@ryanjcampbell]

If you were discouraged by this answer, another way to provide some safety is to add a GFCI outlet or breaker. Not as good as a real ground, but much better than giving up and leaving it as is. Yes, a GFCI will work without a grounding wire.

[@cameroneverhart6443]

THIS. Thank you Ryan. Wife and I just purchased an old house (1958) and previous owners put GFCI outlets literally everywhere. But not in many places where they're actually needed. Like, the laundry room for example. I also saw a couple 2-pronged outlets...If the house is still ungrounded and based off of an older system with different standards, are the 2 options: 1) Add ground wire to the breaker and all circuits or 2) replace every outlet with a GFCI in order to plug in 3 pronged appliances/devices?

[@ryanjcampbell]

@@cameroneverhart6443 Well, the right answer is "Both" since a GFCI and grounding wire provide safety in different ways. If your house has unbroken metal conduit to all locations, a qualified electrician could probably set up grounding from that. If it's knob and tube, grounding everything would be prohibitively expensive. Note too that you only really need one GFCI device per circuit, not per outlet, assuming everything is wired correctly. So try manually testing the existing GFCI outlets and see what else goes down with them, you may already have protection on the outlets you're concerned about.

[@RichardFallstich]

@@ryanjcampbell NEVER depend on the GFCI test button if the GFCI was used on an UNgrounded installation. The test button uses the earth ground conductor to create the imbalance between hot & neutral. In that case, the test button will NOT trip the GFCI, leading one the conclude there is a problem, The GFCI may indeed work as intended if the leakage current is going to ground via some other path: a short circuit, wet towel, human, etc.

[@RichardFallstich]

@@cameroneverhart6443 1958?! That's almost new in terms of housing. Knob & tube wiring was falling out of favor prior to WWII. Nonmetallic-sheathed cable, or NM for short, was first Listed and described in the NEC in 1926, but it was invented a few years earlier by Rome Wire Company in 1922 in Rome, NY, and marketed under the trade name “Romex® If your house doesn't have "Romex" NM plastic cable, it likely has Fabric-Insulated Electrical Wire; brands were Cres-Flex and Ammcoflex among others. The Fabric-Insulated cable was usually 2 conductor with ground. But a lot of "old-timer" electricians thought the bare earth ground wire was new-fangled and unnecessary, and thus just cut it off when stripping the jacket. My house was built in 1894, at least according to county tax records. That's old. There were still a few gas pipes in my walls for gas mantles. It had knob & tube put it when the house was electrified around the 1920s. It was rewired around the late 40s with a mix of plastic & fabric NM cable.

[@ryanjcampbell]

@@RichardFallstich I believe that is only true for external GFCI test devices. I was saying to use the test button on the outlets, which will cut off the entire circuit they are on regardless of grounding, at least all the ones I've used have.

[@Kentboy05]

That guy didnt know what a ground was and you're trusting him use the mulimeter to tell when the powers off?

[@zarblitz]

One, it's scripted. Two, there's a lot they probably cut out. Don't believe everything you see on TV.

[@chrisb4009]

Anyone using a multi meter to prove dead should be shot to start with.

[@chrisb4009]

Anyone using a multi meter to prove dead should be shot to start with.

[@Froggability]

He immediately picked up on the "don't put a knife in the toaster " meant he understands the ground fault he knows electrical

[@chrisb4009]

Nathan 😂😂

[@dialaprohq]

I've never seen the bag and drill before. I learned something new.

[@tenthdimension9836]

This should have been titled "if you have a two-pronged outlet replace it"

[@coffeeisgood102]

I have a two pronged outlet in my 1940’s house. Really cool how it is decorated. Not bland, flat and boring like the ones in use today. When I rewire the house that is the one outlet I am going to keep. If I have doubts about it’s safety due to age I’ll rewire it as a 12 volt and use it to power a 12 volt bulb in my 1920’s Art Deco floor lamp.

[@TechHowden]

@@coffeeisgood102 I wouldn’t worry about them being unsafe just be sure that the insulation on the wiring is in good condition and it should be fine

[@edletain385]

I have a 1956 house, it was all two wire as per code at the time. There were a couple outlets which the previous owner had installed three prong outlets and as in the video had no ground so I labelled them. A neighbor is a Master Electrician who ran his own business and I asked how much to rewire everything, here is what he told me. "When your house was built practice was put the main panel by the back door and wire UP into the roof then drop DOWN for wall outlets. Now we put the main panel in the basement where modern Service Entrance for utilities are located, and wire UP. Shorter runs, more accessible and less material. To rewire your house would cost a a fortune. To upgrade my old 60 Amp service he installed a new mast (our neighborhood is overhead wire) a 110 Amp service to a new panel. The old panel is now a sub panel, several circuits were removed and rewired to the new panel and the rest were left, as long as you don't make changes to any of the circuits in the old panel they are grandfathered and legal. He added a GFCI in the living room for the entertainment Center which is on the old panel but that change is legal.

[@XxSaxCannon921xX]

@@coffeeisgood102 are you referring to the plate?

[@johnrobinson7336]

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

[@conqwiztadore2213]

brought to you by klein tools and milwaukee, great guy!

[@fnhwk]

Heath is the man! Great fit for the show

[@TENTHIRTYONE]

How to Ground a Two-Prong Electrical Outlet: Re-wire the entire circuit.

[@williamskrainski8407]

Hahahaha exactly

[@mnf65]

He did explain that replacing the 2 prong with only the gfci receptacle would bring that old 2 prong to code and new safety measures max 20 dollar repair, but also stated that because the circuit was such a short run a new run would be even better, which i can completely agree. so the video covered both options

[@lampoyo]

@@mnf65 He also didn't explain how to ground a two prong outlet ;)

[@spencerjoseph9149]

@@lampoyo you have to ground the box IF its metal and not grounded already, if you cant do that then stop complaining because you cant figure out the simplicity of it.

[@supersussycat]

LMAO How to Ground a Two-Prong Electrical Outlet: You Don't

[@keithb2696]

Good video. Simple, straight up explanation with correct options. I should show it to some of my customers. It is some of the comments I worry about. Proper grounding is one of the most important safety issues when it comes to electricity. Older and even newer homes have their own unique wiring methods. It could be handyman doing work in the past. When the grounding wire was added to the cables many electricians did not know what to do with it. Keep in mind that if there is no proper grounding conductor present, your surge protectors might not work.

[@hmbpnz]

Great info, even for those of us who "already knew that." Thanks.

[@jmpersic]

Love that offset bender.

[@DragonAurora]

Really wish I had one of those when I was rebuilding elevators back in 2008...

[@LIOTBs]

I love that this old house is still going. This video would have been much better if he would've explained and they would've shown and did a breakdown of what he was doing in the outlet box. Meaning the new install.

[@DjVortex-w]

Maybe they didn't want to go into too much detail because that might induce some unqualified people to try to do it themselves, which can be extremely dangerous if they don't have the proper training and qualifications.

[@attsealevel]

Agreed, coulda been so much better. Why do it if you're not gonna take the time to explain in detail. Luckily, I was able to find another clip that does.

[@TroyStevensStelzerPaintingInc]

@@DjVortex-w By your logic, are you thinking most folks are watching just for entertainment then? Would you stand by your logic considering they showed the guy tying into his service panel? I'm in agreement with the comment regarding this video being ALMOST helpful, but the omission of details when wiring in the new receptacles made it incomplete. One a side note, the title of this vid is "How to Ground a Two-Prong Electrical Outlet", which evidently is done by replacing all the old wiring with new? Come on. I do appreciate the info which was provided. I just wish it was more comprehensive.

[@tomcarberry4445]

I agree. I’ve learned so much more by watching the Everyday Home Repair channel.

[@jonjohnson3027]

There are other ToH videos where they do go into detail on the installation. This video was focused on the purpose of grounding.

[@xMARTIALxLAWx]

best explanation of a circuit I've seen so far, thank you

[@bob19611000]

If you use the GFI approach, since it wouldn't have the ground wire available you need to add the "no equipment ground" sticker to the face plate (it will come with the GFI). Actually I've done this to a number of plugs in my (very old) house when I can't easily pull a new cable. Works fine and is code but remember for electronics (TV, computer, etc) it won't protect them like something that has a ground all the way back to the breaker.

[@electricaf365]

It’s GFCI and they are not plugs, the are receptacles or outlets. A plug 🔌 is a completely different part

[@RichardFallstich]

@@electricaf365 Showoff! I know what he meant. And his point of not having a real earth ground is well taken. Line conditioner surge suppressors (Furman, Panamax) typically used for home theater or audio systems need a true, preferably robustly grounded RECEPTACLE.

[@chrisidzerda2963]

NEC 2011 did away with the no ground sticker

[@kalijasin]

@@chrisidzerda2963still use it though.

[@j.s.3414]

Buying a house that's from 1944, but in pristine condition (fewer issues than the "new build" I bought in 2017), having to just replace outlets with GFCI. Luckily the major places like laundry, kitchen, and bathrooms were all converted by previous owner. But the rest are 2 prong...and I really don't want to explode my TV.

[@andrewcates3390]

It would have been nice to apply this to a larger situation than just a single receptacle that already should have been GFI, like a standard circuit of 2-prong receptacles. Knowing that you can simply replace the most upstream receptacle with the GFCI and have it protect new downstream 3-prong outlets would be a valuable point that would save DIY'ers a lot of money if they have a whole house to work through.

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

Andrew Cates It’s not always visible as to the circuit layout and knowing what feeds what. In such cases, we often just replace the breaker with a dual GFAFCI to protect the entire circuit.

[@andrewcates3390]

@@RobertLeBlancPhoto I agree the method I mentioned would take more time and trouble-shooting. DIY'ers (the audience for This Old House) are typically willing to spend more time so that they can save money. Otherwise, they'd just hire an electrician to do this. Those breakers are likely more than 10x more expensive than using a single GFCI receptacle per circuit, so if the whole point is doing it yourself and saving money, that may not be the best fit for everyone. I agree though that the breaker route is definitely a worthwhile option that is faster and could be perfect for many people. That was the broader point I was trying to address with the video - they didn't mention any other options or a larger scenario. It was too specific to the washing-machine receptacle circumstance. Educating DIY'ers to more/all options available to them would be more helpful since most people that are dealing with 2-prong outlets will have more than one to address in their home.

[@UpnorthHere]

@@andrewcates3390 There are about ten existing YT videos on how to do the 2-prong to 3-prong upgrade with GFCI, if you ignore the idiots who suggest you just "ground" it to the enclosure, without bothering to discuss how you know whether that enclosure is bonded to the ground at the service panel.

[@dickjivas5996]

not true, downstream protection only works when you have a ground. try using your gfci tester on a downstream outlet with a blown out ground, the results may surprise you. No ground on a circuit requires GFCIS everywhere.

[@jacktanner7738]

*Very interesting comment. Goes to show you how dangerous these videos can be.*

[@santaclaus179]

I like this guy , you can see that he knows his job , regards robert

[@shawnp5535]

Title: how to ground a 2 prong outlet. Your answer: rip out and rewire everything. lol.

[@Onionbagel]

if it's an electrical problem, do it all over from scratch. It'll be safer in the long run.

[@Mike__B]

@@Onionbagel And if it's an electrician you're paying to do it... it means more work for him, hence more money in his pocket.

[@UpnorthHere]

SHOULD have been, "Explain why grounding isn't necessary and how to install GFCI".

[@jeremyd6775]

Best electrician to be on this show

[@FlyYooFools]

Some older homes like mine with two-prong can be grounded but through the metal conduate back to the breaker box.

[@kylefowler5082]

this is true as long as there is a grounding tail going from the electrical box to the outlet, switch, etc and the conduit is emt or rigid. Metal flex is/was only allowed for grounding in special circumstances. I think it's even still legal to do this today although it is frowned upon. Using the conduit as the grounding conductor was common practice until the mid 90s.

[@jensalan]

Since you're talking about older homes, are you talking about actual conduit? Or the flexible metal armor that a lot of older wiring was wrapped in? If you're talking about the latter, it's illegal now to use that as a ground. Overtime, the cable could form a break, whether it be at the box or along the run, causing a ground fault. Also, the armor wasn't necessarily designed to carry any kind of load. There is potential of causing a fire if the neutral wire loses connection since a standard breaker has no way of checking if power is coming back through the neutral wire, or another location (ground wire). You could have 15 or 20+ amps going to the armor cladding when it wasn't designed to do that and heating it up like a heating element. Hence why GFCI breakers exist.

[@UpnorthHere]

@Jason Bowman "EMT conduit"? You mean "EMC"? Also worth noting that not all "conduit" is metal, let alone conductive, even with all the proper fasteners.

[@88KeysIdaho]

One time, I replaced a 2 prong outlet with a 3 prong, and grounded it (and the box it was) in by running a grounding wire through the side of the house, out to a grounding rod place along the foundation

[@l337pwnage]

@@88KeysIdaho I'm not sure exactly how you system was wired, but tying back to the breaker box is the better idea. Hopefully the ground rod you tied into was the same one that hooked up to your breaker box. Depending on soil conditions, any ground rod at the home isn't always the best ground connection.

[@jaycahow4667]

The main circuit panel does not have to have separate neutral and ground bars (only sub panels). When he is hooking up the breaker he says to hook the last wire up to the ground bar but you can see a bunch of white neutral wires already in the same bar which is fine.

[@stevenhines5550]

I think the breaker he is using is designed to send the current to different busses. I think the previously confused panel is a different issue but he did the job correctly

[@bostonelevatorsaviation]

I always love the straight up tips from Ask This Old House

[@scottslotterbeck3796]

I love the 'little kicker'. I have a 1/2 and 3/4 inch conduit bender which is a pain for the end of the conduit. Not the easiest

[@ALMX5DP]

What kind of masonry bit attachment did you use there? Looked pretty handy for keeping a clean work area.

[@nauthizzz]

I thought that was interesting too. Something I hadn't seen before. Went looking and it seems like it's one of these. www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200734083_200734083?cm_mmc=Google-pla&Google_PLA&Power%20Tools%20%3E%20Drills%20%2B%20Accessories&Milwaukee&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-Mr0BRDyARIsAKEFbefajgWuuJ-aBtxDFdbBnvPsTB20d3uvuo1dOmEU1Kao5MilEuymffAaAsSrEALw_wcB

[@RadDadisRad]

That’s a silica dust capture device. It’s made by Milwaukee and is cheap. It’s required to use for all contractors per OSHA.

[@ALMX5DP]

Nice, thanks guys. Cheap enough that if I had an indoor job I'd probably consider getting one just to help with all the dust.

[@SonicOrbStudios]

@@RadDadisRad hmm, which states require that? I've never seen anything like it before.

[@bennyfactor]

@@nauthizzz Was wondering what this was, too. Thanks for finding it!

[@hossamyasser8651]

Thanks for this explanation. I think this video is really helpful for the safety of one's life.

[@Hisham0099]

the title should be "how to install a new electrical outlet" he didn't ground a two-prong outlet , he installed a new one.

[@dougmansfieldiii2120]

Installing the GFCI at the first outlet in the circuit "grounds" any plugs after it in the circuit . So if there had been more receptacles, they would have thus been grounded.

[@dougmansfieldiii2120]

When old houses get new plugs, usually we have to GFCI the first plug, then we replace all two prong plugs with three prong, for convenience.

[@Hisham0099]

@@dougmansfieldiii2120 the video shows how to install a new outlet, you are just installing new outlets, you are nor Grounding two-prong outlet, you are installing new outlets. when you run new wires and outlets it is called installing new outlets.

[@samiam7]

They got us again!

[@okaro6595]

@@Hisham0099 Grounding a two prong outlets makes no sense as you still cannot insert a grounded plug. One installs a new outlet.

[@duggydugg3937]

tests for ground.. reversed hot / neutral.. excellent

[@garycasper2929]

Just as the last screw is set.. Homeowner says, “ oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, wifey wants the washer / dryer on the other side of the basement “..

[@kalijasin]

🙈

[@howdareyou41]

and then the electrician says 'stop blaming your wife for you mix ups. and oh maybe you should try doing the laundry sometime?'

[@kenc2257]

The wife should get what she wants. The electrician will be happy to move that outlet, and/or install a new one on the other side of the basement--it's only the electrician's time and the homeowner's money...

[@marlinweekley51]

The other spouse always wants something “ridiculous”. Most contractors know when that happens to explain in bogus technical jargon why it simply can’t happen. 😂

[@BigOsTaco]

The link to that outlet tester would have been nice in the description. Nice video thanks again

[@ericwotton2046]

5:04 the ground wire on the left side is getting pretty close to those breakers there...lol

[@bokesnmokes]

I watched it over and over again and still can’t figure out what you’re talking about.

[@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369]

Thanks COOP ..

[@emptech]

Oh, I was taught that the NEC and local electric codes forbid the use of Romex (jacketed cable) inside metallic conduit, did the code change?

[@lampoyo]

pretty vague question. which area/county/city are you in and does it apply to the installation in this video? Who taught you? If your boss says don't do it, don't do it. Period. lol

[@lampoyo]

NEC 2020 Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable (Romex): Types NM and NMC 334.15(B) Exposed Work, Protection from Physical Damage. 'Cable shall be protected from phys.damage by... RMC, IMC, EMT, Sched.80 PVC etc.'

[@lampoyo]

334.15(C) In Unfinished Basements and Crawl Spaces. 'NM...shall be permitted to be installed in a listed conduit or tubing...with suitable insulating bushing or adapter at the point the cable enters the raceway.'

[@lampoyo]

Here in WA, local codes do not require the protection mentioned in 334.15(C) for crawl spaces.

[@SANTIAGUERO03]

I like the way this guy work

[@ngoti8tor]

Title is misleading. He just replaces the entire electrical circuit.

[@jconradh]

The NEC says you cannot run just a ground wire to an outlet, because if you can run a ground wire, you can run a whole new grounded cable. He offered the NEC approved alternative of installing a GFCI, and using the ungrounded label sticker included. So yes, he answered the question.

[@hometownmedic7355]

It’s a TOH video. Of course the solution is “replace everything”...

[@MrBluelock]

@Sean O Deli If the box isn't connected to the grounding system for the house then bonding the receptacle to the box accomplishes nothing.

[@jefferytownsend7787]

@@jconradh You can run only a ground wire. The conditions are outlined in 250.130(C). Yes, for new installs the EGC must either contain or be ran with the circuit conductors. In this case, he could have pulled a single green, bare copper or green/yellow stripe conductor of the appropriate size to the nearest source of ground that terminates in the enclosure which powers that branch circuit.

[@cebsaint]

@@jefferytownsend7787 you have to run a ground wire from the panel to ground it, might as well run a new wire, right? Less crap I have to cut out later 🤣

[@ronaldmilsapp155]

Good job...but my inspector would not pass this job due to the romex being ran through the emt...I would have pulled #12 thhn wire from the j box to the new device preventing over heating through the jacketed romex....

[@Dienoth2000]

I get the GFCI plug being used for the washer and dryer but why the AFCI breaker to power it? Is that code now? I know you have to use them in bedroom circuits.

[@bradfordlibby9118]

Yes, that has been a code requirement for sometime now.

[@bradfordlibby9118]

I try to stay away from gfci receptacles when possible, I prefer to use dual function afci/gfci breakers.

[@jhormanlopez268]

Moon Pie that’s what I thought

[@UpnorthHere]

@@bradfordlibby9118 Well, according to the NFPA the 2014 NEC still hasn't been adopted in some states, and some didn't adopt it until 2018, so adding AFCI when replacing a receptacle in a laundry room has not previously "been a code requirement for sometime now" for everyone (although it has been for most).

[@kalijasin]

@@bradfordlibby9118 that’s the way to go.

[@DAMAN70726]

Thanks I live in a house that's been in my family since my grandmother's mother and I'm 37 it's just me and my daughter it's a nice sized 3 bed 1 bath perfect for us but the room I wanna use as the computer room only has one outlet and it has no ground my aunt gave me a standard 3 hole plug but thanks to this video I'll wait until tomorrow and get the receptacle that has a built in ground I watched 2 videos before this to see if it would be OK to still hook it up but thanks to the demonstration at the end I can wait one more day !! I'm not sure what else is on the circuit with the plug and so buying that would be the simplest fix

[@reecenewton3097]

All in one breath! Congrats!

[@foufou33g]

@3:20 could you please elaborate on 'bunch of violations'?

[@leewhitmore5350]

TOH rarely responds to questions here. It's up to professionals watching to comment. (TOH - Prove me wrong on this one. )

[@gabeherrera9609]

Lee Whitmore l

[@johnpossum556]

I'm not a code expert, but electronics. The box was metal but was not grounded meaning it was never put in right in the beginning because if it was now it'd need that third bare wire he added. Prior to that the ground would have been through the main box but this set up didn't even have that done correctly because there was no metal conduit to carry that ground current (if it ever did happen) back to the grounded main box. ( This was common in homes of the 50s and even into the 70s they rewired with flexible metal conduit. That metal jacket being the crucial ground path. ) In other words, the added outlet was likely a quick fix done by some one who did not even try to match common sense, much less code. Modern day code requires any box within so many feet of a water source be a GFI because it significantly reduces the shock hazard which used to electrocute people. I forget when this started but you can google it up if you are really interested. Those "wings" you see within the outlet designate it as a 20 amp female receptacle which means you are not supposed to use 14 AWG because its only rated for 15 Amps. This could have been another violation - honestly I couldn't see close enough to know if this one was true in this particular case. But it's not uncommon and worth mentioning.

[@johnpossum556]

Another note - Klein Tools, the brand of the tester used, is a very good brand. When I went to school for Avionics the tool kit we were instructed to buy was almost all Klein tools and a Fluke DMM.

[@RadDadisRad]

Junction box isn’t bonded, exposed NM.

[@bbmw9029]

The did an easy example here where the entire cable run was short, and was outside the wall. This made the replacement of the whole circuit pretty easy. What if you have an older house that has a lot of these circuits embedded in the walls. Is it fixable without a complete rewire?

[@MrBluelock]

Replace the receptacles with GFCIs and attach the stickers provided stating that their is no ground to the faceplate.

[@bbmw9029]

@@MrBluelock Does the GFCI itself require a ground?

[@MrBluelock]

@@bbmw9029 No. It functions by monitoring the current coming in on the hot and exiting on the neutral.

[@RichardFallstich]

@@MrBluelock Yes, but will the test button on an ungrounded GFI still work?

[@STXVIEC]

Theres a lot of ppl that cheat the neutral wire when trying to sell their home. Keep in mind those plug testers are not always accurate, considering it doesn't know if there is an equipment ground wire or not.

[@MrMaxyield]

Some newer testers can identify bootleg grounds...👍

[@notredo]

@@MrMaxyield Nice to know. What manufacturer carries it. I have always opened outlets to see if ground has been bootleged.

[@Sparky-ww5re]

@@notredo one brand i know of is Ideal. I think it's call Ideal Sure Test, i do know they run around $300 give or take. They work my measuring the impedance between neutral and ground on the receptacle. Obviously a cheated ground (aka there is old cloth 2 wire system and the handyman decides to install a 3 wire outlet and jump the neutral and ground to fraudulently pass an inspection, very common with flipper homes, unfortunately ) will be a very low impedance due to the very short length of wire, while a properly grounded romex wiring will show a larger impedance due to length to the panel, because neutral and ground eventually meet at same bussbar . Hope that helps

[@notredo]

@@Sparky-ww5re thanks

[@STXVIEC]

@@dancooper6002 If you buy an old home you should already have that in mind..

[@PigsOnBook]

wow, awesome video, Thanks. now even more questions, how is power distributed when the system alternates? And if AC alternates, why does it seems to still have a direction of hot wire, to appliance, and continues direction back to panel? perhaps the terminology is confusing to me, considering it's a force that cannot be seen.

[@4gizzle85]

If the receptacle is in EMT like many unfinished basement receptacles are, especially in the laundry room, you can just put a jumper to the outlet from the metal box and the conduit that’s connected to the service is now the equipment grounding conductor.

[@Vanilla_Icecream1231]

Yes it does work but definitely better to use actual ground

[@Vanilla_Icecream1231]

But for for retrofit why not

[@scottslotterbeck3796]

Yes, unless you have the conduit poorly connected to the box and the main panel. It's obviously better to run a ground wire.

[@springer-qb4dv]

Yes EMT is perfectly fine to serve as ground. Perfect example of do-nothing make work. All that was needed was to replace two prong with three prong receptical and connect ground to metal box (checking that metal box is indeed grounded first).

[@Vanilla_Icecream1231]

@@springer-qb4dv yep thats what I meant for a new install just run a dedicated ground but for this situation especially since in America you have to have use a gfci in unfinished basement it would’ve been fine

[@carbonblack1002]

1:17 we had an old 1948 kelvanator fridge in the basement and it zapped the crap out of you when its raining.

[@donaldbracciano832]

Add a ground wire to it from the electrical box and drill hole on metal on fridge. Probably leaking current from thermostat area inside door. I had a 1951 kelvinator that would shock me sometimes. Put grounding wire on and no problem. Those Refrigerators just had a 2 prong plug with no ground in those days. Today all 3 prong with the groun.

[@adam1885282]

The jobs you show always have complete open access to what needs doing. Just once I want to see you tear apart some drywall.

[@KitchenerLeslie2]

It is always best case scenario. It is bizarre. Why make that video?

[@bokesnmokes]

And how come there’s always a pristine breaker panel installed? How come there’s never a rusty old fuse box full of cobwebs? (With 75% of the house on just one fuse!)

[@vladimirsanchez3380]

At 3:45 What exactly are you using to collect the dust when drilling?

[@brianreinhardt4050]

Completely misleading title. Here's a spoiler...he "grounds" it by tossing it in a garbage can.

[@blue03r6]

Isn't a ground literally a rod driven into the ground and wired to the panel?

[@brickman409]

I think it should be pretty obvious what the title meant lol. You can't ground a receptacle with two prongs. What would even be the point of that? Obviously it means replacing the two prong outlet with a grounded three prong outlet in it's place. That's a lot longer than saying "grounding a two prong outlet" so they just hope people are smart enough to figure it out and they made that the title.

[@Madness832]

@@brickman409 If the receptacle is wired w/ the old metal-armored BX cable, it's often grounded, anyhow. In that case, he'd use put one multimeter probe on the cover-plate screw & then the other in the hot slot (and if that fails, neutral [in case it's wired backwards]).

[@jamescalifornia2964]

@@blue03r6 - It is both grounded to a rod in the ground and the ground coming from the power pole . Not sure where the power pole ground ends up but probably at another rod in the earth. 🔌

[@Gruntled2001]

@@Madness832 Be careful with assuming that the old BX cable provides adequate ground... it does not, if there is no bonding conductor (that thin aluminum wire running inside the spiral jacket). Then, GFCI is the only way to properly retrofit an ungrounded receptacle fed by the "old" BX.

[@kimchee94112]

What were the violations in that pull box? There were also two runs in that box so what did he do with the other run? How did he transition the new Romex to the new EMT above without a JB? I missed something or not required? Ground and neutral wire terminations on the same ground and neutral bus bars? AFCI CB required in a garage? Could have installed a AFCI/GFCI combo CB and be done with it. Needed 4 screws to mount that new box?

[@normbograham]

Note the panel, it's likely the main panel, and you can see ground and neutral sharing the neutral/ground bars, so the two are "bonded", at the box. Also note: sometimes people ran ground to the metal box, but not to the receptical. In that case, you can go with a 3 prong, and the entire thing is simpler.

[@kevinjensen7752]

Only a three-prong receptacle with a ground strap attached to the bottom screw is code compliant

[@normbograham]

@@kevinjensen7752 new code allows a gfi to be used, without ground if you do not have it at the box.must be marked as ungrounded.

[@kardrumzcoursey9537]

Or just put the entire ungrounded circuit on a GFI breaker. Easier then having GFI outlets everywhere.

[@normbograham]

@@kardrumzcoursey9537 I know right. Honestly, if GFI breakers existed before 71, ground wires to the appliances would not even exist....lol.

[@electroimpex8897]

Nice electrician Guy

[@juan2049]

6:30 Kevin’s eyes lol 😳

[@VolpeInCalze]

Probably reminiscing on when he put a knife in a toaster.

[@aarone9000]

The day I put in a GCFI on the washers outlet was such a huge piece of mind moment!

[@zoso1123]

OMG how did we all survive so long without arc faults and gfci protected devices. Its all a grift.

[@josephpriori6496]

I though you couldn’t run romex in conduit?

[@williamwilson6499]

Check NEC.

[@mr.g937]

Not true except in outdoor locations, because the inside of conduit in a wet or damp location is itself a wet or damp location.

[@lawrencebraun7616]

My parents house was built in the late 1950. It has two prong outlets. The condunt and boxes are metal. I have heard you can swamp a three prong outlet and the metal condonet wil work as ground. Is this true?

[@bluecat0132]

I have the same thing, and I've been told not to do it that way. Other commenters above have said that's the way they do it. My electrical engineer friend said don't do it. Something about creating an opportunity for a fault (short circuit?) anywhere in the system to make the conduit/box electrified. At least I think that's what he meant. IN addition, you never know if the conduit is actually continuous to a ground. Anyway, I didn't do it.

[@Gruntled2001]

Now that it's also on an arc fault breaker, they are guaranteed absolute and total safety. It cures baldness, too. (Sarcasm)

[@scottg62g]

Unfortunately, Arc Fault is now required for laundry area

[@Gruntled2001]

@@scottg62g Yeah, it is. I am yet to see a proof that Arc Faults actually work. GFCI's do, and they save lives for sure. AF's - that's still voodoo to me. They either false trip on arcing motors (vacuums), or are desensitized by manufacturers below the threshold of any meaningful sensitivity. Not to mention that they also removed the 30 mA ground fault protection from most of them, which was their only useful fire prevention feature.

[@jfarinacci0329]

Thank you.

[@TheSouthIsHot]

My mother's house has 3-prong outlets at all of the outlet boxes and NONE OF THEM ARE GROUNDED! It's an old house. Never assume an outlet is grounded just because it's 3-prong.

[@MILLER2607]

How do i tell if they ate grounded or not?

[@TheSouthIsHot]

@@MILLER2607 3-prong receptacle tester.

[@greginfla_1]

Love slow pace this video (drilling, bending) is until something meaningful is shown them it rushes through it. 5:05

[@bgrady24]

“Do you have time for a cold drink?” Hahahaha wtf

[@civildk9077]

did I miss them turning the breaker back ON? lol (dagnabit! I have NO power!)

[@bob-ny6kn]

Brown chicken, brown cow.

[@fixpacifica]

My house had multiple, ungrounded 2-prong outlets and the home inspector didn't say a thing about them.

[@Allen-w9d]

Depending on the age of the building, they could be grandfathered into the code. If you do a remodel though, you would have to bring all of the electrical and plumbing up to modern code requirements.

[@fjeinca]

My inspector mentioned them as if no biggie. True, they weren’t dealbreakers but inspectors are all about their fees, IMLE.

[@adfadgaqgv]

I've been called on sleeving Romex through EMT without striping the insulation before.

[@lloydmills9619]

You were called wrong. If you strip romex before you protect it you create a violation.

[@User5_]

@@lloydmills9619 NEC allows NM inside a conduit?

[@strangerofthe2067]

@@User5_ ARTICLE 334 Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable: Types NM, NMC, and NMS II. Installation 334.15 Exposed Work. In exposed work, except as provided in 300.11(A), cable shall be installed as specified in 334.15(A) through (C). (B) Protection from Physical Damage. Cable shall be protected from physical damage where necessary by rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, Schedule 80 PVC conduit, Type RTRC marked with the suffix -XW, or other approved means. Where passing through a floor, the cable shall be enclosed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, Schedule 80 PVC conduit, Type RTRC marked with the suffix -XW, or other approved means extending at least 150 mm (6 in.) above the floor. [ROP 7-94] Type NMC cable installed in shallow chases or grooves in masonry, concrete, or adobe shall be protected in accordance with the requirements in 300.4(F) and covered with plaster, adobe, or similar finish.

[@pauldegeest4187]

Breaker panel is still hot. L1 and L2 feeds main breaker still unless utility is cut outside the home.

[@RatKindler]

I've got one of those outlet testers and for some of my outlets all three lights come on but there's no definition for this condition on the device. I contacted the company about it and they don't know what it means either.

[@XzTS-Roostro]

W A T ‽

[@yuwtze]

It means that there's a problem that's more subtle. If you have a multimeter, you should check that the Line-Neutral and Line-Ground voltages are around 120V, and the Neutral-Ground voltage is 0 (or *very* close to 0). I'm betting that there's some voltage between Neutral-Ground on the outlets that have all three lights on, likely because you have a bad connection in a Neutral somewhere upstream of those outlets. Now the fun part is to work out where the bad connection is.

[@godbluffvdgg]

It means you're in the plumbing silly!

[@okaro6595]

That means there is voltage between all three prongs. That would happen if it was a 240 V outlet where someone had just put a 120 V receptacle. It could also be be voltage on the groundwire which is very serious. Measure the voltages between the holes with a multi-meter. Do not use it until you have cleared it,

[@dennisrasmussen5351]

Excellent presentation. Thanks

[@howdareyou41]

So hire an electrician? got it thanks

[@AdamIverson]

Hiring an electrician is not that simple. Many of them claimed to be licensed, but actually not. That alone could put your life in danger and it is a challenge to find out if that's a legit licensed electrician or not.

[@howdareyou41]

@@AdamIverson I mean if you think you know more than any electrician that's available in your area, sure DIY you could also check reviews and check licences and insurances instead of risking your life and all the lives that will ever be in that house.

[@hammerdick82]

howdareyou41 Electricity isnt a mythical creature lol. Basic principles and knowledge make it easy. But it comes down to comfort. I wired everything from light sockets to whole motors in the oilfield as a regular hand, so im quite comfortable with it.

[@trenthatt2944]

Actually it is that simple. Hiring electrician. Ask the electrician if he has his journeyman card. If he cannot present one you will know he’s no good. You always should have one if you are a licensed journeyman electrician!!!!

[@trenthatt2944]

By the way horrible video. The guy is boring and there was no need to put this in there because you need to hire an electrician anyways. Not to mention all you need to put in your video is need a new circuit!

[@linlyons1962]

Nice. But what about all the other outlets throughout the house?

[@teddavis292]

Listen Jules, I don't need to know how good my coffee tastes. I know how good it is. I'm the one who buys it. When Bonnie goes shopping she buys the cheap crap. I like to taste my coffee. But it's not my coffee that I'm concerned with, it's the ungrounded outlet in my basement. When you pulled into my driveway, did you see a sign that says ungrounded outlet storage?

[@GameInterest]

I just subscribed to your channel because of this comment.

[@shawnlefever3667]

Had an inspector tell us recently that we couldn't use Romex or plastic sheathed cable inside of conduit. Is there a reason why or is he just full of it. Was also told that to use a GFCI the way you mention in this video was also a no no.

[@n9wox]

Don't take a shortcut and install a 3-prong receptacle and bond the ground with the neutral. Those simple wiring testers can't detect if it was wired this way.

[@wodenkusner222]

Was checking how far down this comment would be

[@okaro6595]

If you reverse the line and the neutral and the connect the ground to the line then testers will show it perfectly OK but it is deadly.

[@IRV707]

Perfect video, very well explained!!!

[@ryand.maupin3024]

Good vid, however he ran the romex through the 1/2" conduit without removing the sheathing from the romex, this can create overheating issues with the wire & is actually a code violation...

[@kerrybaxter5211]

Came here to say this. Even though it will be a remote possibility, stripping the sheathing should have been done.

[@michaelruskey2311]

Actually that is a gray area. Some inspectors flag it and some say it is fine as long as it's a short piece(so basically a protective sleeve). But...if you strip it then it is a flat out violation as there is no rating for the wire printed on the independent wires.

[@ryand.maupin3024]

@@michaelruskey2311 Good point, I hadn't given thought to the rating info 👍

[@electricaf365]

Wrong

[@Gods_son123]

You are right Ryan. Sheathed wire inside a pipe will increase the temp of the wire adding more resistance, and alerting the voltage supplied.

[@AAAA-lt9hq]

5:26 Smooth transition. Very meta.

[@4gizzle85]

Also if you bond the neutral and ground on the receptacle it will show grounded with those testers. Many people do this to fool home inspectors, and it appears as grounded.

[@kennysboat4432]

This is dangerous as if a break in the neutral occurs and the appliance is on, it will electrify the box/ appliances on that outlet.

[@robertopics]

most inspectors that i have dealt with want the boxes open.

[@robertopics]

@@dancooper6002 lol

[@seanile]

This video was titled perfectly, because anyone who was searching for how to ground a two pronged outlet would hopefully click on this video and get some good advice.

[@Kingkoopa00]

They should have explained how a bootleg ground will make a 3-prong outlet test fine on one of those testers, but is very against code and very dangerous.

[@estusflask982]

whats a bootleg ground

[@gsent56]

Great video. Safety first

[@flygirl1297]

This video is done really well with great explanations. I have no electrical knowledge and I understand perfectly. Good job!

[@BillC-64]

When he shut off the main breaker, there is still the service entrance wires that are live and exposed. In Canada, there is a seperate barrier over the main breaker to protect you, but in the US there is no barrier.

[@deanb949]

That's nice that CE was looking out for the 5 year old electricians that cannot keep their fingers in check!

[@wkbeats]

I love Scott but Heath seems to fit the show better. He seems to be better at teaching and explanations focused on electrical, and not as much the non-electrical parts

[@rhodesben10]

Yea Heath was enjoyable to watch

[@TheInroad]

Problem is, Heath lacks that accent!

[@Danny-fs1hk]

Very good video

[@eddieloius4592]

What happened to Scott Caron?

[@AlexGarcia-vv4ux]

His contract ended sometime In 2018 .

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

@@AlexGarcia-vv4ux Why didn't his contract get renewed?

[@AlexGarcia-vv4ux]

Rob L. Not sure he mentioned it on his twitter account no explanation just said after 7years his contract ended .

[@fjeinca]

This is a useful video, however I have ungrounded receptacles in a garage and basement and wonder if there’s any way to run the ground wire directly to an Earth ground.

[@fjeinca]

Or would that fail to protect against fire from the hot and neutral wires heating?

[@wholeNwon]

Good content. I would have also labeled the laundry breaker once "discovered".

[@shockingguy]

The only problem with that little plug-in six dollar tester is it can be fooled depending what’s going on in the back. There are more comprehensive and expensive testers that cannot be fooled. The bottom line is someone still has to know what is actually happening with the wiring and how to correct it..

[@Sparky-ww5re]

Yep my buddy who happens to be a master electrician, calls them the three eyed lairs, for good reason. One of the most dangerous occurs, especially common in flipper homes, is when there is older cloth romex with only black and white, or worse yet, knob and tube, and someone removes the original two prong receptacles and installs 3 prong outlet and, knowing that leaving the ground unconnected will fail a home inspection, they will take a ahort jumper and connect the ground and neutral together at the receptacle. Then consider the possibility of a reverse polarity situation. Any appliance with a metal case i would apear to operate correctly, but be live with 120 volts on its surface yet this simple 5 dollar tester will show wiring correct.

[@shockingguy]

@@Sparky-ww5re There are extremely good testers on the market but you’re gonna have to pay around $150-$200 which most people won’t or never have. The only other way you find out is you open stuff up

[@Studio23Media]

I like this guy. Keep him on the team.

[@LazyScoutJace]

That guy seems so sad! Can I give him a hug?

[@Engineer9736]

no

[@LazyScoutJace]

@@Engineer9736 😂

[@YoungShizzie]

Ok I have a question I been getting high voltage in my coaxial cables from comcast and they said something in the house is using there ground for a ground ?

[@Stones_Throw]

Great vid but the ground connection to the outlet box should be wrapped clockwise. All electrical connections beneath screws should tighten from the turning.

[@bokesnmokes]

I’m not sure what you’re talking about but It was definitely wrapped clockwise.

[@frankpaya690]

Isn't it a bad idea to pull sheath wiring- (like Romex) through a conduit?

[@chadcockayne7361]

You are correct. Romex in conduit is illegal. You also don’t need a grounding wire because you can use the conduit as the grounding path.

[@walterulasinksi7031]

While in this case, a re-wire was appropriate and the basic explanation is correct, there are other ways that are still legal under the National Electrical code. It depends upon the nature of the wiring being used. Should you have an ungrounded circuit that is encased in armored/ Be cable, the armor casing itself is legal to use as a ground if it travels all the way. Back to the panel. The same is true with circuits encased in Electrical Metal Tubing. This can be checked by the use of a meter or neon test lamp to determine if a complete circuit can be obtained by using the shielding medium. If there is a complete circuit available, then a ground wire from the outlet ground terminal to the shield is all that is required This is for when with EMT, it is not possible to draw an additional ground wire directly back to the panel.

[@billman6364]

I was just getting ready to say that

[@UpnorthHere]

Just curious: how does your neon test lamp "know" that the shield has not simply been shorted to neutral at the nearest junction box, thus defeating much of the grounding protection? Also, nothing prevents you from putting in a GFCI for the replacement 3-prong receptacle if you don't actually need an equipment ground (which most appliances do not).