Repair method

I have a question.
If my house is wired with an old two wire system, what can I do, without re-wiring, to protect the circuits.

[phinsperger]

This is another one of those (I already know the answer) questions isn't it? Anyway, I'll play along.

The circuits are likely already protected by either a fuse or breaker system. You probably mean to protect people or equipment plugged into the electrical system but that's not what you asked.

Originally Posted by phinsperger

This is another one of those (I already know the answer) questions isn't it? Anyway, I'll play along.

The circuits are likely already protected by either a fuse or breaker system. You probably mean to protect people or equipment plugged into the electrical system but that's not what you asked.

Your right paul, and I should re-word it.
I do mean to protect people or equipment plugged into it.

[Larry D. Kage]

Not sure what you mean by "protect the circuits" but you could keep them all 2 prong unless you need GFCI protection then install it...GFCI's don't use the ground to work but they'll fool some testers 'cause most testers use the grounding conductor.

How about a boot legged ground, do you think that will fool a tester?

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

My tester picks up bootleg (false) grounds. . .

[phinsperger]

To protect people from electricution - GFCI

To protect people from fire - AFCI

To protect the equipment - run a separate ground wire

To protect the wires from overload - fuses or breakers

To protect the wires from mice - metal conduit

[rwand1]

Install a three prong on the outlet in question and if possible run a green ground wire to the panel and ground it there, or I believe you are permitted to run the ground wire to a grounded incoming water line (metal). Alternatively you can replace the receptacle with a GFCI outlet, even though there is still no ground it is the next best thing if you can't run a ground.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

I am not sure I understand the concept of posting questions if you already know the answer....hmmm....Guess I have been teaching college kids to long but they dont ask questions unless they really dont know the answer.

Takes up valuable time answering questions that a person already knows the answer to....in my opinion.

[quote=pabernathy]I am not sure I understand the concept of posting questions if you already know the answer....hmmm....Guess I have been teaching college kids to long but they dont ask questions unless they really dont know the answer.

I guess you miss being the teacher, deal with it!!!
this question was asked me, amd one of the ways I told the person to get answers, was to go on the NACHI board.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

I would take the SAME chill pill you asked me to take Tyrone......I was refering to the response from another that questioned the question.....

No I dont miss being the teacher.....was to many anyway....But I think it must be a Canadian thing...oh well.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

P.S....Oh..dont worry...I wont attempt to teach ya anything again...

[jtedesco1]

Originally Posted by twheeler

I have a question.
If my house is wired with an old two wire system, what can I do, without re-wiring, to protect the circuits.

I would make sure that the existing system was not tampered with, tighten all connections, replace damaged devices, fixtures, check for overloads, etc

I attached some information from the public domain:

Joe, you da man! Thanks!!!

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Also think about adding a GFCI to the first receptacle in the stream or in the panel for added protection as well.