After weeks of begging for simple answers to this question, I give you my trusted Licensed Whole House Inspectors response…. Amy, In response to your questions pertaining to receptacles commonly found in residential homes I will start with the basics of the old and the new. First, though I would like to identify that I am a licensed home inspector, however for any electrical work and advice on electrical systems I recommend my customers consult with a licensed electrician as needed.
The first requirement for grounded receptacles in residential construction dates back to when the NEC National Electrical Code required laundry areas to have grounded receptacles. Devices and locations have been added to this requirement until the grounded system is a requirement throughout a modern residential home.
The adapters are inserted into a two-prong receptacle and then the adapter spade is secured to the receptacle with the center screw of the cover plate. For these adapters to be functional, the grounding of the receptacle body and box is required. A non-grounded Outlet The most common is the replacement of the two slot receptacles with the three prong grounded receptacles.
When the installation of the grounded receptacle is correct, the receptacle provides an equipment ground utilizing the round hoe in the receptacle. Incorrectly installed the ground is not present commonly referred to as an open ground. In the event that a high-end device such as a computer plugged into an ungrounded receptacle, the performance of the device may never be affected or problems detected.
However the device can be damaged without warning at any time from static electricity that has no way of being discharged as well as another source of voltage coming in contact lightning could be one. This can originate from various sources internal as well as external of the device. The idea of the ground is to trip the breaker preventing damage to the device or electrical shock to the user. If the device is not properly grounded, and any of a number of events occurs, the device may be damaged beyond economical repair.
I have found in a few warranties stating that a device used with a non-grounded receptacle is not covered under the manufacturers warranty; this is for the same reasons as previously identified. A surge protector used at a non-grounded receptacle is a glorified extension cord, and provides no additional protection, only a false sense of protection. An electrical fault is any abnormal electric current.
Therefore, grounding helps abnormal electrical current find safe pathways. If grounding was not in your home, abnormal electrical currents may damage your appliances, home, or people. Learn more about electrical grounding. You can identify an open ground by using an outlet tester.
Or, you can physically remove each outlet from the wall and ensure the ground wire is properly connected to the outlet. An outlet tester will show a light up code to tell if there is an open ground. In the case above, two right lights indicate that it is correct. One middle light means there is an open ground. While nobody is going to come arrest you if you have an open ground, having an equipment ground is code enforced through the National Electrical Code. Moreover, your home insurance may get cancelled or you may be unable to sell your home without repairing it.
Your local building department will enforce equipment grounds on all outlets when you build something new and pull a permit. For example, if you remodel your kitchen or even build a new home.
But, you are not required by law to update open grounded outlets. When you change insurance policies, the new insurer may require an inspection which inspects for open grounds.
Some states, like Florida, require a four-point inspection which may show you have an open ground and lead to the insurance company requiring repairs. When you sell your home, you are likely to have a home inspection.
During the home inspection, the inspector will inspect a representative number of outlets and you can count on them to report an open ground if they find one. In most cases, home inspectors flag open grounds as safety items that should be repaired. This effectively will tell the buyer to ask for repairs or concessions in the deal to repair it themselves. In short, an open ground is not safe.
While the chances of an open ground actually hurting someone is low, it is not zero. Moreover, while it may not hurt you, it could very easily cause a house fire. Just take a look at the statistics below. Of these, approximately are due to high-voltage electrical injuries, and lightning causes 50 to There are also at least 30, shock incidents per year which are non-fatal. Ultimately, open grounds caused by abnormal faults can easily lead to house fires, electrical shock, and death.
Sep 12 They can increase the overall risk of both property and personal damages and injuries and present with a variety of hazards including: Health hazards — Ungrounded outlets can present with a serious risk of shock to persons who are operating electronics or appliances that are directly plugged into them.
Electrical fire hazards — If an outlet is not grounded, sparks could occur as well as arcing and electrical charges that can ultimately result in fires along the walls where the outlets are installed or to nearby furniture, fabrics and other fixtures. Home and property loss — When ungrounded outlets are present, equipment, electronics and appliances plugged into these ungrounded outlets can short out resulting in damaged or worthless items.
Unorganized, messy wires — In many older homes often times there is a combination of ungrounded and grounded outlets present. However old the home may be, this combination is indicative of potential serious electrical problems that can ultimately result in hazards, fires and multiple losses and more often that not present with a completely, unorganized messy array of electrical wires. Contact Us. Name First Last.
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