On older homes built around the 60’s I here so many different opinions in my area about safe and unsafe, and how to report these issue’s. Is it a safety hazard,need upgrading or is it ok since at the time the house was built it does not have to meet current codes. Thank’s I would like some advice .
An non-grounding type receptacle (two prong) cannot be grounded, so to say it has an “open ground” is inaccurate. Non-grounding type receptacles are perfectly acceptable for existing dwellings where an equipment-grounding conductor was not provided during original construction.
In modern construction, any grounding type receptacle (three prong) that is not grounded, is a defect.
A grounding type receptacle (three prong) that is not grounded (when used as a replacement for a non-grounding type receptacle) is a defect, unless it includes GFCI protection and includes a label indicating “no equipment ground.”
The simple fact that a receptacle is not grounded, does not make it unsafe. However, if it is a grounding type (three prong) receptacle, it must be grounded or equipped with GFCI protection.
A non grounded receptacle is not a safety issue as much as it is a hazard to the equipment plugged into it correct? I find most older homes have swithed the 2 prong to a three prong but have not updated the wiring. I will give my clients two options. Have an electrician install 2 prongs or go with a GFI receptacle or breaker.
This was discussed in detail in another recent thread, but it might be difficult to sift through the clutter in that thread.
An equipment-grounding conductor (ECG) essentially has one purpose - to open the OCPD (trip the breaker) in the event of a fault within the equipment or within the circuit. That is not to say the EGC provides nothing in regards to safety, although it’s unlikely the EGC can provide any real “protection of personnel.”
A GFCI device is specifically intended for “protection of personnel.” In addition, it does not require an EGC to function properly. When wired properly, a GFCI device will also trip under the same conditions that an EGC would trip an OCPD. So, with or without the EGC, adding GFCI protection creates a “safer” circuit.
What is the wiring method (NM cable, AC cable, etc.) used to feed these receptacles?
That’s putting it mildly. 
Ya think? 
It’s easier with Kevin’s assistance.
Best information yet on this issue.
http://www.mikeholt.com/mojonewsarchive/All-HTML/HTML/GFCI-Receptacles-Without-Ground~19991230.php
http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/electrical-systems-home-inspection-commercial-inspection/25191-gfci-failure.html
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Electrical-Wiring-Home-1734/recently-installed-GFCI.htm
do you understand which one of these links are correct and which are incorrect?
Don’t care just wanted to make the point about failure and improper installations.
If you want to clarify go ahead.
I didn’t peruse them so with only a quick glance I would say that the article in the last link could use some work. :roll:
When I start reading junk about appliances that “require” an equipment grounding conductor I close the link.
Appliances are not what require an equipment grounding conductor and no appliance requires one to function.
I was hoping that as much as this has been discussed that you would.
Let the splitting of hairs commence.
That may be one way to interpret the word “require”, but I have never heard anyone make that claim. Saying the appliance “requires” an EGC may just be a lazy way of saying the appliance manufacturer requires it. I wouldn’t lose sleep over it.
No one has ever said it did either.
So I don’t loose sleep over telling my clients about the GFCI issue.
You “don’t care” if your posts are correct, accurate or even relevant? I thought you said that you are a “teacher of home inspectors.”
You know what I mean!
From one of the links that Kevin posted
These appliances do not require an EGC. One is not needed in any way for these appliances to function. The third prong does not require an EGC nor does in mandate that one be installed. These appliances can safely be used on a circuit that has no EGC but if a three wire receptacle is installed for their use the NEC mandates that the receptacle be protected by GFCI. It does not mandate that the appliance be protected by GFCI
Common you can do better than that Joseph!
NEC is a minimum requirement just like Codes.
If the three prong receptacle is not protected by GFCI it is flagged if indeed I find that it does not have a ground if it is protected by GFCI and does not have the no-ground label it gets flagged.
If I can’t test it with my 3 light it gets flagged. If the internal test button works it still gets flagged.
If I choose to put on my report that there is no-ground label and is not as safe is my decision that will not change.
When asked by an Electrician what I mean I am happy to explain.