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Can You Install a Three-Prong Outlet Without Ground Wires?
Old-fashioned two-prong receptacles, also known as outlets, connected to two-wire cables don’t have the ground wires that protect people and electrical devices in case of a fault. Yet it is possible to retrofit a new three-prong or GFCI receptacle into the same outlet box without any rewiring, as long as the box itself is grounded.
Luckily, metal boxes attached to armored, or BX, cable—a type of wiring commonly found in old houses—generally are grounded; the cable’s flexible metal jacket serves the same purpose as a dedicated ground wire.
Outlet Versus Receptacle: What’s the Difference?
- Outlet—Anything that has a power current taken out and utilized. For example, appliance outlets, smoke detector outlets, and lighting outlets.
- Receptacle—Is an outlet. A contact device is installed at the outlet for the attachment of an attachment plug.
Why Install GFCI?
Even if an outlet box isn’t grounded, installing a GFCI in it will still protect you (and your tools and appliances) from ground faults.
But an ungrounded GFCI can’t safeguard sensitive electronics, such as a computer or phone, from the interference caused by stray currents. The National Electrical Code requires you to stick a label on the receptacle that reads, “No equipment ground.” These labels come in the box with a new GFCI.
How to Replace Two-Prong Outlets to Three:
Follow the steps below to learn how to ground an outlet.
Step 1: Check for ground
- Insert one prong of a circuit tester into the receptacle’s hot slot (the shorter one), and touch the other to a screw that secures the cover plate.
- The tester should light up. If it does not, the box is not grounded. You can install a GFCI (see steps below), or call an electrician to fix the wiring.
Step 2: Remove the old receptacle
- Turn off the power at the breaker panel or fuse box.
- Unscrew the old receptacle from the box and detach the wires.
Step 3: Connect the new receptacle
- Attach the black (hot) wire to the brass terminal and the white (neutral) wire to the silver. On a GFCI, use the terminals in line with the “line” label on the back of the receptacle. (If your box is not grounded, skip to Step 6.)
Step 4: Fasten the ground screw
- This green screw, sold in hardware stores, fits in a threaded hole in the back of the box.
- Hook one end of an 8-inch green grounding wire or pigtail (also available at hardware stores) to the screw and tighten it.
Step 5: Ground the receptacle
- Secure the other end of the 8-inch grounding pigtail to the green grounding terminal on the three-prong or GFCI receptacle.
- Insert the new receptacle into the box.
Step 6: Turn on the power
- Use a circuit tester to make sure the circuit is working.
Steps for Installing a GFCI Outlet
- Turn off the power to the receptacle. Use a voltage tester to confirm.
- Remove the cover plate with a screwdriver.
- Disconnect the receptacle from the electrical box using a screwdriver.
- Loosen the wires on the hot and neutral sides of the outlet. If the power isn’t shut off, the screws are where you’ll be shocked.
- Remove the outlet.
- Before installing the GFCI, make sure there is enough room in the old outlet box. If the GFCI is too big, you’ll need to purchase and install a larger box.
- Repeat the process in reverse with the GFCI receptacle.
Resources
A room will have to be rewired if there isn’t a ground present. However, if you want to have a grounded, three-prong receptacle without rewiring, you can also use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) found at any home center.