Do you recommend upgrade to modern standards or installation of GFCI protection (or both)?
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if they want 3 prong devices I recommend either GFCI protection or a wire upgrade,
Do you make a recommendation for increased safety?
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certainly in areas where ground fault protection is a good idea. Kitchens, bathrooms, basements garages and exteriors.
Seeing as most household devices are now made as two-prong, what’s the point? There’s not many items that have metal bodies anymore. Hell, even toasters, blenders, food processors, etc. are mostly two-prong.
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Which recommendation do you make, GFCI protection or a wire upgrade?
If the existing wire is in good shape I recommend GFCI protection.
I usually suggest they allow a qualified electrician help them with that determination.
Yep,I was trying to explain the use of grounding with my daughter last night and we walked around trying to find examples. We found 1. The kitchen aid mixer
I did that , the 1 electrician wanted me to rewire entire house and he wouldn’t fish any wires 8 grand. The other said he would rewire kitchen and service upgrade 4 grand.
Just commenting on my experience as the consumer. Gotta recommend what you gotta recommend.
Let them do their due diligence.
Computer’s, big screen TV’s are a few items that would need protection
My answer is yes GFCI and afci. It’s a good practice.
Always.
Especially pool equipment & lighting.
Safety Issue: Some of the three-slot outlets are not grounded. This represents a safety hazard since grounded appliances with three-prong plugs can be plugged into the ungrounded outlet, risking possible shock should the appliance malfunction. In some cases, grounded appliances can be damaged if plugged into an ungrounded outlet. A grounded circuit should be provided for all three-slot outlets.
You should engage a qualified electrician to discuss the options and alternatives available for upgrading to grounded outlets. Repairs should be undertaken as deemed necessary by the electrician. In the meantime, do not plug three-prong cords into the outlet.
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No kidding Charles, I wanted to hire an electrician for about 1.5 hours work in Sept. and he wanted $680.
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Morning, Kenton.
Hope this post finds you well.
Observation: Electrical. Light circuits.
Receptacles: 2 slot outlets/receptacles.
Ungrounded lighting circuits.
Recommend: A licensed electrical installation and service contractor:
1: Insure ungrounded 2 slot outlets/receptacles are grounded or GFCI protection is provided downstream with receptacle covers labeled as required.
2: Upgrade 2 slot receptacles to 3 slot receptacles.
Act upon any recommendations offered by the contractor.
Limitations: Receptacles Covers are not removed. Canceled wiring. Accuracy of circuit index labels not verified.
Hope that helps.
Mostly GFCI protection…wire upgrade for computers and such.
I made the recommendation for enhanced safety.
How would this be accomplished?
Kenton,
Here is what I put in my reports:
COMMENT: Ungrounded receptacles outlets were observed inside the building, which is typical for the period in which the building was built.
Note: Grounded outlets is a safety feature that was introduced around 1962, which minimizes the risk of electric shock, and allows surge protectors to protect your electrical equipment, such as televisions, computers, stereos, and other sensitive electronic devices. Modifying these outlets with a working ground would require adding a third wire to each ungrounded outlet or rewiring these outlets with newer wiring that contains the ground wire. Depending on the number of outlets and accessibility to each outlet this could be an expensive upgrade. I recommend you get an estimate from a qualified electrician if you wish to explore this option
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If the house is equipped with 2 prong outlets, and it’s not wired with K&T, I let my clients know that they should consider upgrades or at least ground a few receptacles for devises that require a ground.
If it is K&T I recommend they upgrade the branch wiring as more and more insurance companies refuse to insure homes with it, if I find it installed under insulation I also call it out as a fire hazard.
If not already installed, I always put a note in my reports when feasible to make upgrades to GFCI devices for receptacles located in garages, exteriors, and unfinished areas of basements, I call out as a safety defect if the kitchen counter and bathroom receptacles are not GFCI protected, grounded or not.
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