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Posted by Doug Miller on October 11, 2007, 10:05 am
>
>
>Doug Miller wrote:
>>
>> >To make things easier for me to understand, let's forget about the
>> >GFCI (the whole point of this is I don't want it--I want a ground for
>> >a refrigerator and PC).
>>
>> Well, you sure don't want to plug the refrigerator into a GFCI, but it would
>> still be a good idea for the rest of the circuit.
>> >
>> >I guess I don't understand what the definition of "the first
>> >receptacle on the circuit" means.
>>
>> The one that's directly connected to the breaker box.
>>
>> >I assumed there had to be some
>> >linear connection whereby you start, for example, at the left side of
>> >a wall and run in a line to the end.
>>
>> That's the way it's usually done, but it doesn't have to be that way.
>>
>> >Are you saying it is arbitrary?
>>
>> Not exactly arbitrary, although it may seem so. Circuits are usually wired in
>> the manner that is fastest and easiest, which may not be the manner that uses
>> the least wire. Even at today's copper prices, the electrician's time is
> still
>> more valuable than the cable.
>>
>> >For example, your example of outlet
>> >1---2---3
>> >you showed changing the connection from 1 to 3 (which still shows a
>> >linear beginning and end). What about if the receptacle in question is
>> >number 2? If the new cable from the breaker connects "in the middle"
>> >at outlet 2, is that considered acceptable?
>>
>> Certainly, provided that the box it's in is large enough to accomodate a
> third
>> cable. (The electrical code limits the number of conductors that can be in a
>> box, dependent on the size of the box, the size of the conductors, and
>> whatever else is in the box.) Undersize boxes can usually be replaced by
>> larger ones; any competent electrician will have no problem doing this, or
>> finding an alternative solution in those rare cases when it's not possible.
>>
>
>OK, I think I understand now. The only clarification I would ask is
>you previously used the term "downstream."
Downstream = away from the breaker box.
Upstream = toward the breaker box.
> In this new set up, does
>downstream mean *both* directions from the new "first" receptacle on
>the circuit (which is in the number 2 position above)?
Yes.
>Also, am I correct in realizing the weakness of this scheme is that it
>can only ground one outlet on a circuit (i.e. if you wanted two
>grounded, and they happened to be on the same circuit, you would have
>to pick only one)?
If you're running a grounding conductor to only one outlet on a circuit, you
can ground only that one outlet anyway, no matter what the topology of the
circuit is, or which outlet you run the grounding conductor to. If you want
two outlets grounded, you need to run grounding conductors to both of them.
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.
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