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About Rick Miell
Expertise
Past County electrical inspector, hold St. of Colorado Master license, will try to answer any electrical question with Code related answers.

Experience
State of Colorado Master Electrician. Past County Electricial Inspector (15 years)

You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Improvement/Repair > Electrical Wiring in the Home > open ground outlet

Electrical Wiring in the Home - open ground outlet

Expert: Rick Miell - 7/1/2009

Question
I have an open nground outlet. Initially it was reading reverse polarity. I removed the outlet and the hot and neutral wires were inverted. I wired them correctly and now its reading open ground. Its a 3 wire receptacle but only has 2 wires. All other receptacles are the same but are fine. What can it be?

Answer
Hi Sparky.

Have you opened up the other outlets? They may have a wiring addition which will show up as good when tested, but is an illegal method of providing a ground to a 2-wire circuit.

If you only have two wires, then you cannot install a 3-wire outlet.

Either provide a ground or replace the outlet with a GFCI type of outlet.

Good luck.

Rick Miell

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This site answers questions related to home electrical wiring, home wiring, general electrical help,and other electrical questions related to aleternating current (AC). You can find help on the National Electical Code, home electrical issues, wiring electrical outlets, installing lighting, electrical grounding, and general electrical help for do-it-yourself projects not require an electrician. If you do not see your home electrical wiring question answered in this area then please ask your electrical wiring question here