Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
From: spambait@milmac.com (Doug Miller)
Subject: Re: Grounding the receptacle boxes in an old house
Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2007 02:58:40 GMT

In article <20070126215104.H05742.richw@whodunit.richw.org>, richw@richw.org (Rich Wales) wrote:

>
>Hmmm.  I didn't realize a GFCI receptacle could legitimately be used
>even without a ground.  So, in that case, I suppose we could simply
>ignore the fact that the electrical boxes aren't grounded and replace
>every receptacle in the house with a GFCI receptacle -- and although
>this would cost a couple hundred dollars, it would cost a lot less
>than having an electrician come out and ground all the boxes for us.
>Is that what you're suggesting as an alternative to having the boxes
>grounded?

It's not necessary to replace every receptacle in the house with a GFCI. 
Replacing the first receptacle (the one closest to the service panel) on each 
circuit will do -- GFCIs can be wired to protect all downstream outlets as 
well. There won't be an equipment ground on those outlets, of course, but they 
will be GFCI protected.

-- 
Regards,
        Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.