False ground wire

[rmayo (Randy Mayo, P.E.)]

Here is a graphic for a house inspection I had today. I know I have it labeled as After 1963 and Before 1963, but that date is a moving target so you can clarify that in any verbiage you attach to the graphic.

[dwigger (David Wigger, CMI, Retired)]

Thanks, Randy! Very helpful.

[tglaze (Thomas Glaze)]

Just a suggestion Randy. Could you make the background of these electrical diagrams be maybe grey or a light blue? Everything white in color blends into the background.

[sbridges2 (Scott Bridges)]

Fussy ass,

[tglaze (Thomas Glaze)]

Who? Me?

[kleonard (Kevin Leonard, CPI/CMI)]

Nice graphic Randy, and to think all these years I’ve been calling it a bootleg ground.

[rmayo (Randy Mayo, P.E.)]

Here is one with a gray background.

[tglaze (Thomas Glaze)]

Thanks Randy. Now I can see the neutral wires being a Mr. Magoo

[ryoung7 (ROBERT YOUNG, CMI)]

SureTest 61-164 False Ground image.

[srechkin (Simon Rechkin)]

Robert, one must be very careful with relying on the tester to determine if there is a false ground. If the outlet is not far enough from the electrical panel, it will show a false ground.

[ccurrins (Christopher Currins, CMI)]

I’m not sure it needs any date, AKA 1963.

Actually it kind of makes it look like it was permitted until 1963.

[rkenney (Robert (Bob) Kenney, CMI® MD Lic.# 31044)]

@srechkin

If the outlet is not far enough from the electrical panel, it will show a false ground

Like this one.

[ryoung7 (ROBERT YOUNG, CMI)]

@srechkin

If the outlet is not far enough from the electrical panel, it will show a false ground.

I never heard that. Any reference material?

Situated 2 floors above the panel.

[srechkin (Simon Rechkin)]

@ryoung7

I never heard that.

I know.

@ryoung7

Any reference material?

Do you understand how your tester determines if it’s a false ground? did you read the manual

[rkenney (Robert (Bob) Kenney, CMI® MD Lic.# 31044)]

@srechkin

did you read the manual

Obviously not!

Duh!

[bnesbitt (Bryce Nesbitt)]

Why 1963? What happened then?
Was a false ground ever code?

[srechkin (Simon Rechkin)]

@bnesbitt

Why 1963? What happened then?

Branch circuits did not require grounding until 1962. So when people replaced a 2-prong receptacle with a 3-prong, they needed a way to give it a ground and thus a false ground if a true EGC was not available.

[ccurrins (Christopher Currins, CMI)]

@srechkin

they needed a way to give it a ground and thus a false ground if a true EGC was not available.

You should have just said they needed a way to give it a False ground. Because that’s all it is. They did not give it any type of true ground.

[ryoung7 (ROBERT YOUNG, CMI)]

I realize if the SureTest is within 15-20 feet of the main panel, the unit will indicate a false ground condition on a properly wired circuit due to its proximity to the proper ground-neutral bond in the main panel. If necessary, simply use a 3 conductor extension cord that is 20 feet long to make the
measurements.
I pack extension cables in my roll carry bag. I do not use the 24" inch cable that comes with the SureTest analyser. I use a 10’ foot cable. Makes prolonged bending over a thing of the past.

[bnesbitt (Bryce Nesbitt)]

@srechkin

Branch circuits did not require grounding until 1962. So when people replaced a 2-prong receptacle with a 3-prong, they needed a way to give it a ground and thus a false ground if a true EGC was not available.

The picture is implying that it was once code to create false grounds. Was that true for a time? I’m fully aware of the switch from 2 to 3 wire circuits.