Bathroom Receptacle

system · December 2, 2020, 2:39am

Originally Posted By: jpope
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.

We’ve been having a discussion in another thread about clearance between receptacles and tub/shower enclosures.

How's this to make matters worse?

![](upload://16MPJPFzTSJTGvgBU20do5Ad9qR.jpeg)

--
Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
"At JPI, we'll help you look better"
(661) 212-0738

system · December 2, 2020, 2:39am

Originally Posted By: dvalley
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–
David Valley

MAB Member

Massachusetts Certified Home Inspections
http://www.masscertified.com

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."

system · December 2, 2020, 2:39am

Originally Posted By: tallen
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–
I have put the past behind me,

where , however, it now sits, making rude remarks.

www.whiteglovehomeinspections.net

30 Oct 2003-- 29 Nov2005

system · December 2, 2020, 2:34am

Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell
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The real question is was it GFCI?

system · December 2, 2020, 2:34am

Originally Posted By: jpope
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Greg Fretwell wrote:

The real question is was it GFCI?

Of course not!

--
Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
"At JPI, we'll help you look better"
(661) 212-0738

system · December 2, 2020, 2:40am

Originally Posted By: tdove
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Good post what brand tester is that and what it cost thank you.

system · December 2, 2020, 2:40am

Originally Posted By: bbadger
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Just to be the devils advocate, what exactly would you plug in that outlet that needs or would benefit from a ‘ground’?

Hairdryer

Shaver

Curling Iron

TV

Radio

![icon_wink.gif](upload://ssT9V5t45yjlgXqiFRXL04eXtqw.gif)

--
Bob Badger
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Moderator at ECN

system · December 2, 2020, 2:35am

Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.

As the shop stewart for the devil’s advocate I would say the biggest hazard might be the outlet cover/screws themselves if there was an ungrounded box with a fault. An upstream GFCI would go a long way towards protecting the user.

system · December 2, 2020, 2:40am

Originally Posted By: jpope
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.

tdove wrote:

Good post what brand tester is that and what it cost thank you. ![icon_smile.gif](upload://b6iczyK1ETUUqRUc4PAkX83GF2O.gif)

SureTest. . .

About $50 more than your home inspection cost

--
Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
"At JPI, we'll help you look better"
(661) 212-0738

system · December 2, 2020, 2:35am

Originally Posted By: dspencer
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The suretest is http://www.textkit.com/a4_B0002TIV6Y.html for the best price.

system · December 2, 2020, 2:35am

Originally Posted By: tallen
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The best price for the suretest is at the NACHI members only store. $215.00

–
I have put the past behind me,

where , however, it now sits, making rude remarks.

www.whiteglovehomeinspections.net

30 Oct 2003-- 29 Nov2005

system · December 2, 2020, 2:35am

Originally Posted By: jpope
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.

bbadger wrote:

Just to be the devils advocate, what exactly would you plug in that outlet that needs or would benefit from a 'ground'?

I wouldn't even begin to go there. I just call it like I see it and let you experts answer those questions.

--
Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
"At JPI, we'll help you look better"
(661) 212-0738

system · December 2, 2020, 2:40am

Originally Posted By: roconnor
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Was that on an older 2-wire system without ground/bond wires? And even though it wasn’t a GFCI receptacle, was it on a GFCI protected circuit (possibly from a downstream GCFI receptacle)? You know the drill … but just asking …

–
Robert O’Connor, PE

Eagle Engineering ?

Eagle Eye Inspections ?

NACHI Education Committee

I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong

system · December 2, 2020, 2:35am

Originally Posted By: jpope
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.

Yes Robert, it was originally a two wire system. None of the two-prong outlets were still in the home, all had been upgraded to the three-prong type, but only a few (maybe 10%) tested to be grounded.

There was no GFCI or AFCI protection anywhere in the house or panel.

--
Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
"At JPI, we'll help you look better"
(661) 212-0738

system · December 2, 2020, 2:41am

Originally Posted By: roconnor
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.

jpope wrote:

There was no GFCI or AFCI protection anywhere in the house or panel.

Not good! Any 3-prong replacement receptacles on the old 2-wire system should have been the GFCI type marked "no equipment ground". And no GFCI protection for the damp/wet areas is really bad news ... ![icon_eek.gif](upload://yuxgmvDDEGIQPAyP9sRnK0D0CCY.gif)

bbadger wrote:

Just to be the devils advocate, what exactly would you plug in that outlet that needs or would benefit from a 'ground'?

How about a 3-prong extension cord (even though most modern hand tools are 2-prong double insulated), or a small stand alone space heater with a 3-prong cord to ground the metal case ... ![icon_eek.gif](upload://yuxgmvDDEGIQPAyP9sRnK0D0CCY.gif)

I have two of the small oil filled metal space heaters in my place ... one in the bathroom near the bowl and one next to my desk, to keep things nice and toasty there in the winter without blasting the heat through the whole house ...

--
Robert O'Connor, PE
Eagle Engineering ?
Eagle Eye Inspections ?
NACHI Education Committee

I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong

system · December 2, 2020, 2:41am

Originally Posted By: jmyers
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Bob,

I personally opted for the toaster, so I could get a little toastier while I got clean! ![icon_cool.gif](upload://oPnLkqdJc33Dyf2uA3TQwRkfhwd.gif)

Who says water and electricity don't go well together? They just need a little direction on how to make it work well for them!

Joe Myers

system · December 2, 2020, 2:41am

Originally Posted By: bbadger
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.

In Roberts case (oil filled metal space heater) a grounding means would be a benefit.

In Joe's case (toaster) a grounding means will do nothing, he would still be flopping around like a fish. ![icon_lol.gif](upload://zEgbBCXRskkCTwEux7Bi20ZySza.gif)

The GFCI is the real lifesaver in a bathroom, most of the appliances used in a bathroom are not of the grounding type.

I agree with Greg a good fix would be a plastic plate, a sticker that says no grounding means and a GFCI.

Mostly I was just trying to get something going on this forum that was not related to complaining.

Bob

--
Bob Badger
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Moderator at ECN

system · December 2, 2020, 2:41am

Originally Posted By: jmyers
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.

Bob,

In would like to add to your post a little about the plastic plate, GFCI protection and no equipment grounding sticker.

You should also place a big sign next to the receptacle which reads, "don't be stupid, if your hands are wet DO NOT try plugging anything into a receptacle. ![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif)

What do you think? Will it work?

--
Joe Myers
A & N Inspections, Inc.
http://anii.biz

system · December 2, 2020, 2:36am

Originally Posted By: dedwards
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That would only work if they can read. There will always be those among us that go ahead and try it their way and pay the price. I see things every day where someone has ignored the obvious dangers and/or signs and do some of the dumbest things possible.

system · December 2, 2020, 2:36am

Originally Posted By: dbowers
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.

Golly -

Youse guys are making me stop and think. Twice last month I saw a main electrical breaker panel and/or a sub-panel installed in a wall inside the shower stall. The seller had finished off the basement himself and must have SAVED a lot of $$$$$$ by not going to get a permit, etc.

I just thought that would be really convenient - being able to clean your circuit breakers off every so often, and so forth One of those houses had a 2-prong electrical outlet inside the shower stall. If I read this post correctly should I have suggested they put a sticker on the panels and outlet that said: "not GFCI protected" and suggested that they upgrade the 2-prong outlet?????

Toto & Dorothy