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Adding a GFCI outlet with two-wire (duplex) wire

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Adding a GFCI outlet with two-wire (duplex) wire android 08-19-2006
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Posted by android on August 19, 2006, 12:18 pm
I would like to replace a two prong outlet in the kitchen of my 1950's home
with a GFCI outlet. The conductor is two-wire (no ground). Will a GFCI
outlet work (will I be able to "reset" it)without replacing the wiring?

Posted by Rich on August 19, 2006, 12:46 pm

>I would like to replace a two prong outlet in the kitchen of my 1950's home
> with a GFCI outlet. The conductor is two-wire (no ground). Will a GFCI
> outlet work (will I be able to "reset" it)without replacing the wiring?

Is the house wired with Romex (armored cable)? If so that is your ground so
the screws holding it to the box will give you the ground or you could run
an extra wire from the box to the ground terminal. Also check to make sure
you have 110 volts from hot to the box and nothing from neutral to the box
this will confirm that you do have a ground just not a separate one like
modern wiring.

Rich




Posted by on August 19, 2006, 12:52 pm

Rich wrote:
> >I would like to replace a two prong outlet in the kitchen of my 1950's home
> > with a GFCI outlet. The conductor is two-wire (no ground). Will a GFCI
> > outlet work (will I be able to "reset" it)without replacing the wiring?
>
> Is the house wired with Romex (armored cable)? If so that is your ground so
> the screws holding it to the box will give you the ground or you could run
> an extra wire from the box to the ground terminal. Also check to make sure
> you have 110 volts from hot to the box and nothing from neutral to the box
> this will confirm that you do have a ground just not a separate one like
> modern wiring.
>
> Rich


You can install a GFCI on a circuit with no ground and it will work,
trip, reset with no problem.


Posted by EXT on August 19, 2006, 1:04 pm
Please note that Romex is a generic name for non-metalic sheathed cable, not
steel or aluminum armored cable which is generically known as BX cable.

>
>>I would like to replace a two prong outlet in the kitchen of my 1950's
>>home
>> with a GFCI outlet. The conductor is two-wire (no ground). Will a GFCI
>> outlet work (will I be able to "reset" it)without replacing the wiring?
>
> Is the house wired with Romex (armored cable)? If so that is your ground
> so the screws holding it to the box will give you the ground or you could
> run an extra wire from the box to the ground terminal. Also check to make
> sure you have 110 volts from hot to the box and nothing from neutral to
> the box this will confirm that you do have a ground just not a separate
> one like modern wiring.
>
> Rich
>
>
>



Posted by Mark Lloyd on August 19, 2006, 2:19 pm
On Sat, 19 Aug 2006 11:18:22 -0500, "android"

>I would like to replace a two prong outlet in the kitchen of my 1950's home
>with a GFCI outlet. The conductor is two-wire (no ground). Will a GFCI
>outlet work (will I be able to "reset" it)without replacing the wiring?

Yes. The "ground" in GFCI refers to the unintentional ground that
occurs when something goes wrong. There is no need for a ground wire.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb
contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin

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