What is the easiest way to convert 2-wire outlets to grounded outlets?

Question

My nephew is selling his house and the inspector said he must do this. It is Romex type wiring (plastic). In order to meet the code, can we add just a third ground wire or must we rewire it with 3 conductors? I assume that any ground wire must go all the way to the breakers, not to a separate earth ground. I know the answer depends somewhat on local codes, but the codes allow Romex in the first place.

Answer 1

You would likely need to run a new three conductor wire, such as Romex to each outlet to meet current code.

If your house is old enough, though, there are no requirements that I am aware of in the NEC (National Electric Code) that a house with two conductor wiring MUST be upgraded upon sale of the house.  I know of houses that are being sold successfully with original k**b and Tube wiring (really, really old stuff).

If your house was wired incorrectly at the time of construction and grounding by a separate wire was required at that time, then your house would not meet code and would need to be upgraded.

You may have different local codes, check with your local building department, but I doubt it.

If you do have to upgrade, this is not a do-it-yourself project.  It must be done correctly.  Hire a competent electrician.

Answer 2

Many good answers here and in fact a GFCI can handle the job in lieu of replacing all the wiring.  The ground is a safety wire to help prevent voltage from going to a person and preventing an appliance for being grounded giving a person a shock.  GFCI's cut this current off and are great alternatives to rewiring older houses.

Answer 3

You do not have to rewire the houseto sale it He's just saying if you want to get the most for your house then you need to do this,it may help you sale your house faster if you did rewire the house . but if you do rewire it your going to have to get more money for the house  

Answer 4

Ron G is correct.  Check into this "requirement" before jumping into this expensive rewire.

Answer 5

There is no code requirement to entirely rewire older homes with three wire. The inspector is lying. Adding a ground wire would invovle stripping the walls to studs. No-one does this unless they are remodeling anyway.

Answer 6

All those answers look good, but be aware of one requirement - if you have 3 prong receptacles, they MUST be grounded (to a separate ground conductor, NOT tied to the neutral), can't leave the ground prong 'open'.  Oftimes a 2-pronger will be replaced with a 3, because that's what is handy and does make it easier to plug in a 3-prong cord, but sorry, that's not code.

If this is your case, the quick cheap way to bring it back to code is to put 2-prong guys back in there where there is no ground.

Answer 7

Hi. You need to stop and ask yourself where this inspector is coming from.They are just a third party reporting on the condition of the house for the buyer. I am assuming that the house is not a new home and the buyer is paying for the inspection. If this is the case, an older home that has this type of wiring is grandfathered in with respect to local codes and should not need an update unless there were serious flaws in the initial construction. What he is suggesting requires the complete rewire of the home in essence. There is no easy way to 'just' add a third ground wire. Unless this rewire is a stipulation of a purchase contract, and you want to do it, tell him to get lost.

Answer 8

Yes if there is no gnd wire you can run 1 back to the box separately.But check there may be one folded back at the outlet.

Answer 9

don't think the inspector will allow anything but a 3rd wire ground,and of course the only way of doing that is to pull new wire.i don't suppose that there is anyway to pull a ground from the box to a central location in the house and then feed to it.

  which ever way you do it, its gonna be expensive,and time consuming,i will get in touch with a Friend of mine that is a master electrician,maybe he can give some ideas and pointers on how to getrdone,if you would like to email me on tuesday, i'll be glad to let you know what i find out