[B.D.R.]

A question for the knowledgable guys on here.
I was watching a HGTV show on the weekend.
The house appeared to have just a two wire outlets. The electrician explained that to re-wire the whole house would be expensive, ( no s**t).
They put GFI's in all the outlets.
Question is , don't you still need a ground wire to make them work?

 

[m1911]

A GFCI will work correctly without a ground wire. A GFCI monitors the amount of current flowing from hot to neutral. If there is any imbalance, it trips the circuit.

 

[B.D.R.]

I thought that it still needed to be grounded. thanks

 

[Speedy Petey]

I thought that it still needed to be grounded.

Nope. That is a common misconception.

 

[TAHomeRepairs]

In fact I believe that is the only approved way to wire a 3 prong plug to a 2 wire system. I find many old timers that still think they need a ground , for "ground fault" to work.

 

[Golden view]

A GFCI will work correctly without a ground wire. A GFCI monitors the amount of current flowing from hot to neutral. If there is any imbalance, as there would be if current was flowing to the ground, it trips the circuit.

added to it.

Stupid analogy: You pour 10 gallons into a hose and 8 come out the other end. Even though you didn't see it, you know it leaked and you stop pouring before something gets too wet. With electricity, this is a little more instant.

 

[CBJenkins]

Yes, you do not need an equipment ground to make a GFCI trip, because you become the ground and when that current goes through you, it senses that and trips.

 

[MTN REMODEL LLC]

And you have to still put the "no equipment ground" sticker on your three prong ungrounded.

 

[onmywayup]

added to it.

Stupid analogy: You pour 10 gallons into a hose and 8 come out the other end. Even though you didn't see it, you know it leaked and you stop pouring before something gets too wet. With electricity, this is a little more instant.

You can call your analogy stupid all day if you want, but I disagree. That was the most succinct ways I've ever heard that explained and I'm gonna steal it shamelessly

 

[jproffer]

added to it.

Stupid analogy: You pour 10 gallons into a hose and 8 come out the other end. Even though you didn't see it, you know it leaked and you stop pouring before something gets too wet. With electricity, this is a little more instant.

You can call your analogy stupid all day if you want, but I disagree. That was the most succinct ways I've ever heard that explained and I'm gonna steal it shamelessly

x2 :thumbsup:

I like that. It would make sense to people who "don't get electricity". And I'll also be stealing it, but not shamelessly. I will feel a little remorse every time I use it....hope that helps.

 

[rselectric1]

You can call your analogy stupid all day if you want, but I disagree. That was the most succinct ways I've ever heard that explained and I'm gonna steal it shamelessly

I like that explanation as well. It's so difficult to explain without a bunch of jargon, and people always ask. Kudos!:thumbsup:

 

[B.D.R.]

Thanks for the clarification guy's. :thumbsup:

 

[mstrat]

Very interesting! Who know clicking on a random GFI post at night would make me a smarter person! Thanks for this! Very helpful!

 

[B.D.R.]

No need to thank me, just send money.