Making a two prong outlet a grounded outlet?

Question

I live in a house built in 1919. In my bedroom I have two outlets, one on an outside wall and one on the interior. Neither one is grounded. I would like at least one grounded plug and some extra outlets added. Is this an easy fix? and is it expensive? I probably need to have my whole house rewired, but not sure if I can afford that right now.

Answer 1

Verdugo: That's exactly what you wanna do get your whole house re-wired. Ground wire is for protection safety on your equipment and also may help you save your life.  good luck on that.

Answer 2

The question is what type of wiring you have more than the outlet itself. Also, do you have a metal outlet box? Sometimes a ground can be established by wiring the neutral to the metal box.

Answer 3

Wow. 1919? I'm wondering if your house wiring has the old DC leads in the walls with the ceramic stand-offs screwed to the wall studs. Betcha you have an old fuse box too with the glass or cylindrical brass fuses?

Call in a licensed electrician. He/She could do a partial rewire to bring at least a room or two up to code but this may require a fresh start with a new circuit panel upgrade and possible service replacement out to the street.

Warm up your checkbook.

Answer 4

You most likely have k**b & tube wiring if it was built in 1919, unless there was a later retrofit.  You need to have an electrician give your house a once-over to see where you stand.  Your problems may go as far back as to the distribution panel itself.