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2 Prong outlets

By Mike (Inspector Mike) Parks

Home Inspector with Inspector Mike #2116

March 02, 2009 07:30 AM

Recently I was ask if you had to rewire to install 3 prong outlets.

Yes you can but you do not need to do so. The reason for this question was because some home improvement experts and some Home Inspectors claim that you must rewire to install these outlets (receptacles). 406.3(D)(3) of The NEC® (National Electrical Code®).

Rewiring could run into the $1000's of dollars. This can be remedied for under $15.00.

Very simply you install a GFCI 'outlet' at the first point (outlet) on the circuit. Then you can install the 3 prong 'outlets' down stream. You must also add to the 'outlets' the sticker that says "No Equipment Ground" to the cover plate.

If you do not understand this then please contact a licensed electrical contractor! This is meant for general information and not for the do-it-yourselfer.

Remember how something is called out and how you put it in a request to remedy could make or break your deal!!!!

http://activerain.com/blogsview/927114/CSST-Revisited-in-Ohio

http://activerain.com/blogsview/871331/Why-electrical-inspections-are-needed

http://activerain.com/blogsview/935595/Is-your-new-home-built-properly

http://activerain.com/blogsview/874120/Understanding-Trusses

http://www.yourhomesok.com/why_us.htm

Comments(20)

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Nate Rowe

Oakstone Properties, Homes in Richmond VA - Richmond, VA

Realtor, Homes in Richmond VA

You are correct. If there is no ground wire, I would do it this way. A lot of times there is a ground wire and then I would just replace all of them. Thank you for sharing.

Mar 02, 2009 07:34 AM

Joanne Tarantino

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Knight & Gardner Realty - Key West, FL

CRS, Realtor

It is also important to check with your state requirements when it comes to home inspections and building codes. What might be fine in Ohio might not necessarily be acceptable in Florida. And of course like Mike says, if you don't know how, don't try to work with electricity on your own, it can become shocking (wow, that was a bad joke).

Mar 02, 2009 07:35 AM

Mike (Inspector Mike) Parks

Inspector Mike - Circleville, OH

Inspector Mike

Joanne

It is 'fine' in ALL states that use the NEC. But you ARE correct in saying check with your state.

Mar 02, 2009 07:39 AM

Steve Hall

RE/MAX United - San Marcos, CA

Make the Call to Hankins and Hall

If it's safer, then it is much better, regardless of where you live.

Mar 02, 2009 08:44 AM

Mike (Inspector Mike) Parks

Inspector Mike - Circleville, OH

Inspector Mike

Steve

It is not necessarily safer. Just look at the plug on your TV or a light.

A GFCI will protect you. This is a misunderstood concept.

Hence the reason for my post.

Mar 02, 2009 08:50 AM

Kevin Corsa

H.I.S. Home Inspections (Summit, Stark Counties) - Canton, OH

H.I.S. Home Inspections, Stark & Summit County, OH Home Inspector

Mike, I think you are playing with fire putting this information out to the general public. Even though you say it is "not for the do it yourselfer", inevitably, there will be people who will attempt it, and of course do it all wrong.

The best and safest policy is to have it done by someone who is licensed, and knows the codes, and what is allowed and what is not.

If they get it wrong, it is a dangerous practice to replace two prong outlets with 3 prong without having the third leg ground actually attached to it, and also potentially deceptive to future buyers or owners of the home.

(Just my opinion)

Mar 03, 2009 06:14 AM

Mike (Inspector Mike) Parks

Inspector Mike - Circleville, OH

Inspector Mike

Kevin

I understand. But this is for Realtors also. I hate to see deals killed because of false information.

I wish we could protect the public from themselves but we cannot.

Mar 03, 2009 10:03 PM

Mike (Inspector Mike) Parks

Inspector Mike - Circleville, OH

Inspector Mike

I should have explained this.

The third wire, the equipment grounding conductor, is just that. For equipment protection.
A GFCI is for personnel (people).
That is why it is safe to install a GFCI on a 2 wire system.
The 'white' wire is the 'grounded' conductor. So a ground is present.

I know this is confusing! Electricians sometimes do not understand this.

Mar 04, 2009 08:51 AM

Darren Miller

About The House - Succasunna, NJ

Doesn't the plug have 'prongs' and the receptacles have 'slots'?

Shouldn't it be called a 2-slot receptacle?

Mar 23, 2009 08:53 AM

Mike (Inspector Mike) Parks

Inspector Mike - Circleville, OH

Inspector Mike

Yes and an outlet is a box not the recpt.,switch or any other device.

Mar 23, 2009 09:33 AM

Mike Schulz

Affordable Home Inspections - Raleigh, NC

Raleigh NC Inspector

Mike I think this was a good post. I hope more read it. Most people would try to figure out a bootleg ground.

Mar 31, 2009 01:40 AM

Michael Greenwalt

MGI Home Inspection - Junction City, KS

Kevin,

It may help to post the "incorrect information" that is being provided that kills the deal. I could assume to know what you are eluding to but I don't want to do that. I would hope inspectors recommend consulting with an electrician to determine an appropriate course of action but inspector comments are definately varied.

Second, Why is it a hazard to connect Plasma's, computers to GFCI's on older two wire systems?

Thanks

Jul 03, 2009 12:27 PM

Mike (Inspector Mike) Parks

Inspector Mike - Circleville, OH

Inspector Mike

First the tester is an indicator not an approved testing device. The only approved method for testing is at the device.

What is probably missing is the equipment grounding conductor not the 'ground'.

Opening devices is not part of a home inspection.

A lic. electrician is NOT allowed to evaluate the electric (in Ohio).

Aug 25, 2009 12:13 AM

Jim Allhiser

Perfection Inspection, Inc. - Salem, OR

Salem, Oregon Home Inspector

Great post Mike.

"A lic. electrician is NOT allowed to evaluate the electric (in Ohio)" What does that mean??

Sep 05, 2009 10:00 AM

Mike (Inspector Mike) Parks

Inspector Mike - Circleville, OH

Inspector Mike

Jim

I am an electrical contractor (OH.Lic. #26286) and am not allowed to do: http://www.yourhomesok.com/electrical_safety_inpections.htm

Lic. #'s displayed as required by http://www.yourhomesok.com/oclib.htm

Sep 06, 2009 12:02 AM

Nikki Marlatt-Young

At Ease Home Inspections - Arbutus, MD

Housing & Rental Inspections

I agree with Kevin Corsa & Denny West!

Handyman Home Owner / Do It Yourself kind of person is what gets people killed!

Its scary opening panels anymore... you never know what Uncle / Aunt Handyman Home Owner has done in there themselves.

Oct 29, 2009 08:07 AM

Mike (Inspector Mike) Parks

Inspector Mike - Circleville, OH

Inspector Mike

Denny

You may want to contact your attorney and ask him to look at Ohio law and get his opinion NOT mine.

Nikki

Yes it is dangerous. You just need to know when not to open it and defer to an expert.

Oct 29, 2009 12:48 PM

Steven Turetsky

Comprehensive Building Inspections & Consultants - Staten Island, NY

Building Moisture Analyst

Hi Folks,

I haven't been around AR in a while and decided to stop by. I find this blog interesting, but am a bit confused. Are you for it or against it? Or were you for it before you were against it?

Installing a GFI will protect an outlet that is not grounded, but it will not protect the equipment.

Sooooo, as a home inspector I do NOT consider an ungrounded, GFI protected outlet acceptable. OK, I did encounter a home with some outlets that had been added without hooking up the grounding conductor. Because this was not an inspection (repair for an ex), I simply connected the grounds. One outlet was run with Romex that had no ground. I installed a GFI and marked the outlet . In this limited situation, I felt it was ok, since it was a single outlet.

In another home (an inspection this time), I discovered a number of electrical problems, including a majority of ungrounded 2 prong outlets and ungrounded 3 prong outlets. This was a 2 family home. One service was grounded, one was not. In this case, I recommend having a licensed electrician evaluate and upgrade the system. I warned about the safety factor and damaging certain equipment. In today's day and age, the electrical system in a home should be computer friendly. If it is not, it should be clearly stated.

So, why is it OK in one situation and not in another? Although safety is a major issue, so is quality of life. I do not feel that the GFI fix makes the need for grounded outlets go away. For an agent to feel that the GFI fix will "save" a "killed" deal is wrong. The client should know all of the facts. To make them believe that the GFIs make it OK, is misleading.

It is the duty of a home inspector to educate the client as to what they are buying. If the client still wants the home, for whatever reason, including because the deal merits the investment of the upgrade... so be it. The seller can also pay for the upgrade. If neither wants to make it happen, I do not feel that the Home Inspector killed the deal. Perhaps the deal committed suicide. If the client wishes to discuss the problem further and wants to know if there are any solutions until he can have the upgrade done, I would let him know about the GFI "partial" fix.

Nov 12, 2009 04:24 PM

Mike (Inspector Mike) Parks

Inspector Mike - Circleville, OH

Inspector Mike

"We all know that they dont have the proper Ground"

First the 'white' wire is the 'grounded' conductor. It is the ground.

The bare wire is the equipment grounding conductor. Its purpose is to effectively clear a fault NOT to protect the equipment.

"About the GFC why install one if it wont protect equipment . why install one when you know there is no Ground."

A GFCI will provide 'some' protection but its purpose is for the protecting of people not equipment.

"As A Nachi Certified Home inspector we are trained with a very intensive Electrical training courses they teach us how to Inspect the electric panel box how to determine the Proper size Of wire needed . Proper grounding . Sub panels , GFCI , And many inspection tips all set with NEC code ."

Maybe your intensive training should be extensive instead.

"more accurate Diagnoses"

No disagreement there.

"Quit being so big headed"

So being qualified and knowledgeable makes be "big-headed". OK.

Jan 12, 2010 01:30 AM

Jim Watzlawick

Watz Home Inspections - Algonquin, IL

Watz Home Inspections

Thanks Mike, I think the information that you provided here is a benifit to many people and no you are being big headed.

Jun 10, 2011 05:52 AM