Do you find these adapters in use?

[Joe Farsetta]

Jae,

A two wire, with ground...

This may include two physical wires with rated armor sheath.

Whether or not your engineer friends believe the screw to be sufficient is not the point. Whether the NEC believes it is sufficient is the question. This is why the aluminum tracer is wrapped with the screw.

But, back to my point. If the system is grounded, chances are the receptacle is also grounded. Even with a mechanical bond between the mounting screws, receptacle ears, and metallic box, the system ground extends to the physical receptacle. So, yes, the receptacle is "grounded".

The purpose of the ground "hole" is to extend the system ground the the device plugged in.

Why would the builder install a 2-prong? Because he could.

The cost of the receptacle has nothing to do with whether or not the system is grounded.

Back in the 70's, when I worked for Maytag, ther installaton on washers and dryers included a 3-prong adapter, with the tab screwed into the center screw of the receptacle. Where the system was not grounded (we were supposed to check), we would install a wire between the washing machine's metallic panel and a cold water pipe.

But, back to two wire cables. When I am speaking of 2-wire with ground, I am speaking of just that. I am not confusing it with the old snakeskin cable (NM) where only 2 wires are present.

The inverse to this is where I sometimes see armor sheathed cables terminated in plastic boxes. Harry the Homeowner sometimes believes that wrapping a copper conductor around the metal sheathing and terminating it into the plastic box, and to the receptacle, is okey dokey

[Jae Williams]

Joe,

"A two wire, with ground...

This may include two physical wires with rated armor sheath."

I don't often see a "2-wire/ground" in house built in the 30's - 40's - 50's. Availability and cost of the wire may be the reason. Even then, costs were considered when building a multi-house subdivision. Every buck saved on each house was multplied by the total houses built--then and now!

"The inverse to this is where I sometimes see armor sheathed cables terminated in plastic boxes. Harry the Homeowner sometimes believes that wrapping a copper conductor around the metal sheathing and terminating it into the plastic box, and to the receptacle, is okey dokey".

I see that all the time--and shudder...

"But, back to my point. If the system is grounded, chances are the receptacle is also grounded. Even with a mechanical bond between the mounting screws, receptacle ears, and metallic box, the system ground extends to the physical receptacle. So, yes, the receptacle is 'grounded'".

That's "if the system is grounded..." but it generally ain't around here. On the rare occasions when I do find a grounded system, the ground is to the box only. It is assumed that the screw through the ears will sufficiently serve as a ground. Then the receptacle is removed attach a new wire for a switch or outlet elsewhere and left dangling (with the appliance attached) until the new fixture is finished (sometimes for days, or weeks). Then they paint... This, of course, can hamper the contact. I see that frequently.

"Whether or not your engineer friends believe the screw to be sufficient is not the point. Whether the NEC believes it is sufficient is the question. This is why the aluminum tracer is wrapped with the screw."

The NEC is a general guideline, and not to be considered a specific application. The NFPA reviews, revises, and upgrades the code every three years because what was safe yesterday (or in 1940) may not be safe today.

Today's needs for electrical service are much greater than 50 - 60 years ago.

I still prefer to see old wiring upgraded, not because of the NEC, but because it's safer.

There is nothing dangerous about an adapter--it's the way we use it that creates unsafe conditions.

[Jae Williams]

This is phrase used by "Speedy Petey" in another thread, and I like and agree with it...

"This new handle twi code is IMO a sad event, and I am afraid that we and the NEC are taking a dangerous path towards "over coding" ourselves."

[rbrady]

I have a lot of older homes here and almost none have armored cable, so the adapters are never grounded.

Here is my report comment:


Most of the electrical system does not incorporate a grounding conductor. Rewire, use 2-prong receptacles and/or separately grounded receptacles as required. Avoid use of ungrounded 3-prong receptacles and adapters to reduce risk of electrical shock and to provide protection for sensitive electronic equipment. See body of report for locations of 'open ground' and 'no ground' (two prong) receptacles. See http://bradyinspects.com/house_electric.html for more information.



I made the page myself - I may have borrowed a picture or two.

[jtedesco1]

Originally Posted by rbrady

I have a lot of older homes here and almost none have armored cable, so the adapters are never grounded.

Here is my report comment:


Most of the electrical system does not incorporate a grounding conductor. Rewire, use 2-prong receptacles and/or separately grounded receptacles as required. Avoid use of ungrounded 3-prong receptacles and adapters to reduce risk of electrical shock and to provide protection for sensitive electronic equipment. See body of report for locations of 'open ground' and 'no ground' (two prong) receptacles. See http://bradyinspects.com/house_electric.html for more information.



I made the page myself - I may have borrowed a picture or two.

Hey Ralph, Excellent!

Here's a couple more for your page.

[cduphily]

Originally Posted by rbrady

I have a lot of older homes here and almost none have armored cable, so the adapters are never grounded.

Here is my report comment:


Most of the electrical system does not incorporate a grounding conductor. Rewire, use 2-prong receptacles and/or separately grounded receptacles as required. Avoid use of ungrounded 3-prong receptacles and adapters to reduce risk of electrical shock and to provide protection for sensitive electronic equipment. See body of report for locations of 'open ground' and 'no ground' (two prong) receptacles. See http://bradyinspects.com/house_electric.html for more information.



I made the page myself - I may have borrowed a picture or two.

I like it, mind if I use it?

[rbrady]

Originally Posted by cduphily

I like it, mind if I use it?

It'll cost you one green box.

[cduphily]

Originally Posted by rbrady

It'll cost you one green box.

Paid in Full!