By grounding the outlet box for one.
When armored cables are used the armor is the bond. A bond strap would bond the outlet/receptacle ground terminal, the green screw to the box during an update.
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first you have tell us about use. where do you want to use this. Tell me
Morning, Shivala.
Hope this posts finds you well.
From what I can gather, Kenton Shepard, known for educational articles, is asking what I think, although I could be mistaken, a very basic Electrical system question, I thought home inspectors knew, or at the very least would question along their journey pertaining to, Ungrounded light circuits, and explanations for themselves, not who, so they can tell their clients or blog about. This is rudimentary seeing most of use have run into this situation on many occasions.
The question is not about use, that is constant. (2 Slot Outlets/Receptacles and are the circuits Ungrounded Lighting Circuits and what to recommend. The question is, can the circuit cable bond, No more, No Less.
The proposition becomes, analyzing the circuit cable to see what best fits the situation, 2 Slot Outlets/Receptacles and “Do you recommend upgrade to modern standards or installation of GFCI protection (or both)?” which places the ominous on posters like yourself.
Regards.
Robert
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In an existing home, I’ll inform the client the home is code compliant if no changes were made. In areas where grounded appliances are in ungrounded 3 hole receptacles I recommend a wiring upgrade. A majority of the homes around here are pre-1960 which means ungrounded 2 conductor wiring is installed.
Many home owners upgrade to 3 prong receptacles with no ground installed, In this instance I write in my report:
Some newer 3 hole receptacles are connected to the original ungrounded two-wire cables. The device will operate normally without the ground wire because it is not a part of the conducting path which supplies electricity to the appliance. In the absence of the ground wire, shock hazard conditions will often not cause the breaker to trip unless the circuit has a ground fault interrupter in it… I recommend a qualified electrician further evaluate
There are 4 acceptable methods to correct this.
- Install the older 2 slot receptacle
- Install Dual AFCI/GFCI breakers to cover the updated receptacles
- Install Dual AFCI/GFCI breakers in your electric panel to cover the updated receptacles
- Update the wiring.
The AFCI/GFCI is considered an alternative to grounding by the National Electrical Code (NEC) and a two-slot ungrounded receptacle is allowed to be replaced with a three-slot AFCI/GFCI receptacle; however, the receptacle must be marked as having “NO EQUIPMENT GROUND” and “GFCI PROTECTED” on the cover plate. Manufacturers of GFCI receptacles include a sheet of small stickers in each box to help you comply with this safety requirement.
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If that was the case, they would not make you label it with “NO EQUIPMENT GROUND”. A surge protection equipment, for example, will not function properly when plugged into a “NO EQUIPMENT GROUND” receptacle with or without AF/GFCI. Also, grounding AF/GFCI receptacles would be optional in new installation but it’s not.
Now, if you only meant as an alternative to upgrading to a 3-prong receptacle with an EGC, than I agree 
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If a house has 2 prong receptacles, then that means there is older wiring in the walls.
Simply upgrading the outlets, while a short term solution, doesn’t solve the bigger issue of older wiring, which may or may not be a fire hazard in itself, be it old cloth, knob and tube, or whatever else may be lurking.
Any cloth or K&T or such that is visible in the attic or crawlspace is usually frayed, improperly spliced, or other such issues.
My clients deserve to know that older outlets mean they have older wiring that may have hidden issues beyond what is currently visible. Because rewiring a home is expensive.
And if the client is going to do any work in the house, they’re going to be very upset when they go to update a kitchen or whatever, and their contractor or local building authority says they have to rewire the home.
Kenton … It depends on the age of the home; if any renovation has taken places OR is about to.
Sample Comments …
FYI - One or more 2-prong electrical outlets were present. Although commonly seen in older buildings when the home was built, it would be prudent as a safety improvement for a new owner to consider upgrading to grounded outlets (especially at wet areas … This could mean rewiring the applicable areas).
FYI - At the time this property was built, GFCI’s (ground fault interrupter circuits) were not in common use at “wet areas” (wet areas are locations like kitchens, baths, exterior, garage, laundry, wet bars, jacuzzi’s, pools, etc). One or more of the electrical outlet(s) at the “wet areas” did not have GFCI protection. Current safety standards recommend these at these type of areas. It would be prudent for a new owner to install GFCI’s at any applicable areas as a safety improvement.
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Good point. If the metal box simply has two wires in it with no EGC that doesn’t mean that it is not properly grounded by the jacket of the AC cable. If a three prong self-grounding receptacle is used then no bonding jumper is needed for a three prong device to be properly grounded according to the NEC.
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The caveat here is that simply a metallic cable does not mean an effective ground fault path exists. Determining this is probably outside the scope and experience of many home inspectors. Also if the wiring were knob and tube a jumper to the box does nothing.
Agreed, but then the HI shouldn’t be calling it out as ungrounded either. The determination for AC cable would need to be made by an electrical professional.
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Metal junction boxes require grounding.
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That’s true but I’m missing your point. Did I state that they didn’t?
Sorry Robert.
Trying to write a report and post. My mistake.
If a box is grounded, the bonding path would be easy with a bonding strap for outlets was all I was alluding to. Why rewire a home is it does not require rewiring?
Sorry.
.
Robert,
No problem. I think that we’re basically saying the same thing.
If the HI looks in a receptacle box and only sees two wires with no EGC then that does not mean that the box is ungrounded because it is possible that the wiring method is AC cable which has a jacket that is permitted as the EGC. Now if the wiring method is the old NM cable with no bare EGC then yes the box is ungrounded. If it is AC cable that has a jacket as the EGC then the two prong receptacles can be replaced with a 3 prong device, either a self-ground type or with a bonding jumper to the metal box. In that installation the GFCI and sticker method would not be required.
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Robert… read your post and decide if this is how you want your business represented on a public forum!
I’m just curious to see whether in their reports, more inspectors recommend GFCI protection or upgrading to modern standards.
It’s a general question because inspectors constantly run into homes with different conditions, but I think a lot of inspector will understand that and answer according to the context in which it was asked.
I have no problem with it.
It appears I receive many likes as well.
*Note: I will explain in a simple context next time.
PS: I get as many as 30 calls weekly.
Morning, Robert. Hope this post finds you well.
Good point.
For visually ascertaining if the metal outlet box is grounded, too many times the EGC is hidden from view. That becomes a Limitation. The outlet is too wide hindering the bond/ground screw.
I use the word bonding purposely. 'Bonding is simply the act of mechanically connecting two or more conductive materials together to establish a conductive path between them.
*Note: It is possible to bond components together without ever grounding them.
I remove switch plates. Here is a pic from yesterday’s inspection of a grounded metal box for a light switch. Switch boxes are were I look to see if there is a possible path for grounding.
I understand what both of you are saying.
When speaking of alternatives. "If installed properly " I believe is the point
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That’s the point. I concur.
Amazing how they installed the box. Blew my mind. LOL. What an inspection.