Expert: Master Bob - 12/13/2004

Question
I recently bought an older house.  Most of the plugs in the house are 2 prong outlets with a few 3 prong ones spread throughout.  Is there a way to change 2 prongs to the 3 prong ones?  All of my computer equipment and home theatre equipment are all 3 pronged.

Thanks,
Brad

Answer
Hi Brad,

 Just getting back in for the day....

Based on your description...you've found yourself faced with the same scenario that a lot of new owners of older homes have found themselves in...outdated non-grounding 2 wire circuits.

Understandably....most of today's appliances and the majority of electronics (if not all) use the 3 prong grounded plug configuration....and have for decades. This helps protect the user from shock (in the event of a fault) and the electronics from damage. But several decades ago - the grounding Codes were not in place and it was typical to use a 2 wire non-grounded system in the majority of homes. As time passed...a lot of owners had there homes upgraded from the old 60 amp fuse panels (no longer allowed) to 100 amp (or larger) breaker panels....and had the old 2 wire removed and replaced with 12/2 with ground romex. But not all owners did this over time...or if they did - they only had certain areas of the home upgraded and not the entire home...as it sounds is the case with your home. Unfortunately - we've found that some homeowners even went as far as simply changing just the receptacle outlets (and not the wiring) over from 2 prong non-grounding outlets to 3 prong grounding outlets...and this IS a Code violation and illegal (and carries a fine in some states) because if presents the illusion that the receptacle outlet is grounded....when in fact it is not and never was. Many home owners have gotten hurt and had equipment damaged or ruined because of this violation.

 Hopefully....the few 3 prong grounded style outlets you see in this home are actually indeed grounded. You can check for this by shutting off the breaker for that circuit (confirm the correct breaker is off) and removing the receptacle outlet from the box to see if a bare copper or green colored ground is indeed connected to the green ground screw on the receptacle (and to the box if metal).If no ground is present...do NOT use these 3 prong receptacles...especially not with a 3 prong plug cord...damage or injury can occur. Odds are you will find that new 12/2 with ground wiring has been run to these few outlets...and that they are properly grounded...hopefully.

 So...as you can see - there IS a way to change the 2 prong to 3 prong...but the ONLY safe and Code compliant way to do it is with new 12/2 with ground wiring from the panel to ALL locations that are to have 3 prong grounding style receptacle outlets....with no break anywhere in that ground path. To do it any other way is not only illegal...but also unsafe and it can cost you more in damages and injury then the cost to rewire these location every would.

 If your not experienced with electrical work...it is in your best interests to have an electrician do this work for you. Like the previous owners...you can choose to have only certain areas upgraded (like the computer and audio/video equipment areas)...so you may only need one or two circuits upgraded and not the entire rest of the house...keeping costs down. Typically - this is only a few hours work...in less you have several areas in different sections of the home that need upgrading.

 But that is the only approved way to make the changes...and is the ONLY one I recommend. Some electricians will say you can change out the 2 prong receptacles for 3 prong GFCI's...and although this adds a little extra protection...it does NOT add the ground. Changing the wiring and the receptacle is the only way to do that....protecting both the user and the equipment.

 Hope this helps...if you need more details or have new questions, please follow-up.

Best Wishes and Happy Holidays,

Bob Osgood
Master Electrician


RKO ELECTRIC

www.rkoelectric.com