!7# Is Your Home's Outlet Grounded or Non-Grounded - What Is the Difference?

!±8± Is Your Home's Outlet Grounded or Non-Grounded - What Is the Difference?

Homes wired prior to the 1960's were commonly wired with a two-wired system with ungrounded outlets, unlike today's modern wiring code which uses a three-wire grounded system. What electrical devises can be plugged into a ungrounded outlet?

• Lamps

• Coffeepots

• Radios

• Small kitchen appliance

• Devises that do not have a three-prong cord

What electrical equipment should not be plugged into non-grounded outlet?

• Most high-end electronics

• Computers

• Stereos

• TV's

• Surge-protectors

• Larger kitchen appliances

• Devises having a three-pronged cord

Older homes with existing two-wire system generally will have two slot outlets; a dangerous mistake would be to cover a two-wired outlet with a three-slot outlet. Unfortunately, there are many two slotted outlets that have been upgraded to three-slot outlets without providing a ground wire. This has no benefit, and may be misleading when plugging a three-pronged device into an upgraded but ungrounded outlet. This is called an open ground and can be devastating to your high-end electronics, equipment, and personal safety.

There are a couple of things that can be done if your outlets are not grounded.

The National Electrical Code (NEC) allows the following methods to update an ungrounded outlet

• Replace the 2-wire outlet with a GFI outlet and mark the outlet with the words "No Equipment Ground"

• Install a GFI breaker in the panel marked "GFI Protected" and "No Equipment Ground.

• Replace the existing three-slot outlet with a two-slot ungrounded outlet

• Replace two wired system with updated three wired system

Plugging your high-end electronics into a ungrounded outlet could cause damage to your equipment from static electricity as well as, a sudden spike in voltage such as a lighting strike. Most importantly never, plug an appliance or devise that has a three pronged cord into a ungrounded outlet, as this could cause serious electrocution if you are in contact with the device and a good ground simultaneously.

Finally, if you are unsure about your homes wiring and its safety, it is recommended that you contact a licensed electrician to inspect your homes electrical wiring system.