Code Reference

Sparky Joe

Can anyone tell me what article in the 05 code says that a GFI can be used when no ground is present?

Also is it still legal to run a seperate individual bare ground wire to devices to create a ground in an old house?

Sparky Joe

I found the reference in 406.3 (D)(3)(b), does this sound right to anyone else? And is there more on this subject somewhere else in the code.

Speedy Petey

Also see 250.130(C):

VII. Methods of Equipment Grounding

250.130 Equipment Grounding Conductor Connections

Equipment grounding conductor connections at the source of separately derived systems shall be made in accordance with 250.30(A)(1). Equipment grounding conductor connections at service equipment shall be made as indicated in 250.130(A) or (B). For replacement of non–grounding-type receptacles with grounding-type receptacles and for branch-circuit extensions only in existing installations that do not have an equipment grounding conductor in the branch circuit, connections shall be permitted as indicated in 250.130(C).

(A) For Grounded Systems The connection shall be made by bonding the equipment grounding conductor to the grounded service conductor and the grounding electrode conductor.

(B) For Ungrounded Systems The connection shall be made by bonding the equipment grounding conductor to the grounding electrode conductor.

(C) Nongrounding Receptacle Replacement or Branch Circuit Extensions The equipment grounding conductor of a grounding-type receptacle or a branch-circuit extension shall be permitted to be connected to any of the following:

(1) Any accessible point on the grounding electrode system as described in 250.50
(2) Any accessible point on the grounding electrode conductor
(3) The equipment grounding terminal bar within the enclosure where the branch circuit for the receptacle or branch circuit originates
(4) For grounded systems, the grounded service conductor within the service equipment enclosure
(5) For ungrounded systems, the grounding terminal bar within the service equipment enclosure
FPN:See 406.3(D) for the use of a ground-fault circuit-interrupting type of receptacle.




Handbook commentary:

Section 250.130(C) applies to both ungrounded and grounded systems. It permits a nongrounding-type receptacle to be replaced with a grounding-type receptacle under the following conditions.
1. The branch circuit does not contain an equipment ground.
2. An existing branch circuit is being extended for additional receptacle outlets.
3. An equipment grounding conductor is connected between the receptacle grounding terminal to any accessible point on the grounding electrode system, to any accessible point on the grounding electrode conductor, to the grounded service conductor within the service equipment enclosure, or to the equipment grounding terminal bar in the enclosure from which the circuit is supplied.
The requirement in 250.52(A)(1) does not permit this separate equipment grounding conductor to be connected to the metal water piping of a building or structure beyond the first 5 ft of where the piping enters the building or structure unless the conditions of the exception to 250.52(A)(1) can be met.

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Sparky Joe

That was the article I found for my second question, But can I interpret (C)(1) to say that I can take a ground wire from a receptacle to a cold water pipe of say a sink as long as it is within 5 feet of its entrance to the structure?

Speedy Petey

IMO I'd say no. Also, if you can get to within 5' of where the pipe enters the house you can just as easily get to the GEC which is a much better choice than the pipe itself.

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Sparky Joe

Of course I wouldn't do something like that, just found it interesting that the code allows it.

Sparky Joe

So this was a job for a home that was up for sale and the home inspector said the GFI's had no ground and that it needed to be fixed. So the homeowner called me to fix it, I told him his set-up was totally legal gave him the code reference and also gave a bid to run a ground wire to each kitchen receptacle.

So the home inspector called me tonight and said the GFI's can't be right because the little buttons don't do what they are supposed to. I explained to him why they don't and that the code says this is legal.

I realized though that; if the GFI says 'test monthly' per manufacturers specifications, how can the code insist that this is legal and safe if the GFI cannot be tested to make sure it's working correctly?

Speedy Petey

The GFIs should still test, even without a ground. This is a problem.
A GFI does not need a ground to function properly.

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stars13bars2

Petey is right. The test buttons on the receptacle should work, but a plug in receptacle tester will not work because it shunts to the ground which is not connected. If the test buttons on the receptacle won't trip it the receptacle needs to be replaced.

Sparky Joe

I asked about it today and my teacher said that the test button is the only approved means of testing a GFI by the manufacturer.

And what it does is shorts the hot wire after it passes through the CT to the neutral wire before it passes through the CT.