Grounded outlet required?

[William J. Decker]

Originally Posted by Greg Fretwell

Will, how often do you find bad grounds with a real tester? Suretest or similar that actually tests something.

For existing 3 prong plugs, wired through conduit, very rarely.

[Greg Fretwell]

I was just curious. I guess that is a testament to the robustness of metalic wiring methods. I had similar experiences surveying a WWII era military base that was being converted to a hospital. They wanted to know if they could count on the pipe as a redundant grounding path. I didn't find any bad ones either. (tested with an ECOS)

[William J. Decker]

Originally Posted by Greg Fretwell

I was just curious. I guess that is a testament to the robustness of metalic wiring methods. I had similar experiences surveying a WWII era military base that was being converted to a hospital. They wanted to know if they could count on the pipe as a redundant grounding path. I didn't find any bad ones either. (tested with an ECOS)

Hey, I'm not saying I am for or against it, just that that is what is. I've seen a bunch of Romex wired houses (yes, there are some areas that still allow it, around here) that are really F'd up.

Whatever the method, the safety depends upon the quality of the electrician and the diligence of the code inspectors, as well as the HIs, for used houses.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by wdecker

Hey, I'm not saying I am for or against it, just that that is what is. I've seen a bunch of Romex wired houses (yes, there are some areas that still allow it, around here) that are really F'd up.

Whatever the method, the safety depends upon the quality of the electrician and the diligence of the code inspectors, as well as the HIs, for used houses.

By "romex", do you mean NM (non-metallic......plastic) sheathing?

[William J. Decker]

Originally Posted by Brian A. MacNeish

By "romex", do you mean NM (non-metallic......plastic) sheathing?

Yes. Sorry I wasn't precise.