All Questions
1,076 questions
2
votes
1
answer
94
views
Where should I connect ground in my new service panel?
I am DIYing my house from the ground up and have reached the point of electrical. I am in beautiful rural Michigan.
I mounted my 200amp meter socket. I have also mounted the 200amp disconnect. I also ...
3
votes
2
answers
690
views
How can I properly ground my service disconnect panel?
I am not sure my house is properly grounded.
The meter outside connects to a single breaker panel with a 150 amp breaker (I will call this the service panel). This service panel is not connected to ...
- 981
0
votes
0
answers
37
views
Grounding a Chandelier Properly
The ceiling box has a ground copper wire coming from above the ceiling wrapped around a green screw and then extending downwards. The mounting bracket also has a green grounding screw. The chandeliers ...
2
votes
1
answer
407
views
Does Sub panel need ground rod?
Have a Outside Main Box that's Full. Want to add Outside Sub-Panel right next to it 12 inches to the right. I know the Sub-Panel uses separate Neutral Bar and Ground Bar. But, Does the Sub-Panel need ...
0
votes
0
answers
36
views
Copper grounding to water line
when grounding residential home with 4 gauge copper wire to main water pipe, does wire need to touch panel also? I already have panel grounded with 6 gauge copper wire touching same water pipe.
1
vote
2
answers
71
views
How should I ground three switches in a box with one ground wire?
There are 3 switches in a junction box. Only one switch has a ground wire.
Can I extend the current ground wire to the other two switches? Can I do this by connecting all 3 ground terminals together ...
- 13
7
votes
2
answers
397
views
Do I need a GFCI sticker when grounded by box
I have replaced a 3-prong bathroom outlet with GFCI. The metal box does not have any ground wire in it, so I just connected the hot and neutral wires. I was expecting the outlet tester to indicate the ...
- 71
-2
votes
1
answer
66
views
Where does the ground go or use a different fixture thoughts? [closed]
I’m replacing track lighting in my garage there are two, one track at both ends of the garage and they run on the same switch.
When I took it all down it’s in a plastic housing and had one hot one ...
0
votes
0
answers
53
views
How to handle grounding of a hybrid inverter/grid system?
I am researching integrating a solar system into a house, in the USA.
Design goals:
The solar system and the grid need to be able to power the house simultaneously.
Ideally, I would like to have ...
0
votes
1
answer
34
views
Is it ok to use a wood screw with a washer when installing outside lamp into metal mounting bracket but also screws into the wall
I had 2 hard grounding wires coming out of the wall and had a thin wire from the outside light I was installing. The grounding screw was just too short so I found a screw that along with a washer ...
- 1
2
votes
0
answers
54
views
house water pipe is energized
this is a mobile home, the owner tried to shut off the main water and got a shock when he touched to valve, I found, with the main house breaker off and the electric meter pulled, I had 35 volts A/C ...
- 21
0
votes
2
answers
88
views
Will my panel inside be considered a subpanel, and now be un bonded
I have installed a 200 amp distribution panel w/socket head. Will this be considered my main panel, and my panel inside now becomes my subpanel?
Should my subpanel be unbonded, and 2 lines, 1 neutral, ...
0
votes
3
answers
45
views
Upgrading to smart 3-way switch with existing non-grounded switch
I have been upgrading my dumb switches with some new matter based smart ones. My home was built in 1997, so there are ground bundles in the boxes, but the existing switches do not have a ground ...
3
votes
1
answer
455
views
What purpose is the GND screw serving in this vanity lighting setup?
Trying to install a bathroom vanity light. Here's the wiring coming out of the wall:
So 3 wires:
White
Black
Bare copper
Plus a green GND screw
This wiring was set up by our electrician before we ...
- 57
1
vote
0
answers
88
views
Bare copper conductor for grounding a sub panel
Several years ago, my father converted a 240V sub panel to 120V by re-purposing one of the 3 available conductors for the ground wire and using the other 2 conductors for the hot and neutral.
Now he ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
41
views
Will running bare wire to this part of the box properly ground my receptacle?
I had an outlet with wiring that did not touch the box itself. Here's what it looks like now.
Here is the spot I hope is designed for a ground screw:
Here is how I want to wire it. Would this work ...
- 209
1
vote
2
answers
87
views
Why do we ground receptacles to their metal boxes?
I believe you need to ground receptacle boxes. What benefit is offered in doing so vs. running bare ground wire from the romex straight to the receptacle?
- 209
1
vote
1
answer
65
views
Question on installing NEMA 14-50 for EV charging
I have a question with regard to installing a NEMA 14-50 for EV charging. I know these outlets are not fantastic for this purpose, but I’m looking to install one just temporarily to be replaced by a ...
2
votes
2
answers
986
views
Is this screw inside a 2-prong receptacle a possible ground?
My house was built in the 1920s and I don't know how old this wall box is. Is there any hope that the bottom screw is a ground? If not, what are the metal circles for?
- 209
-1
votes
2
answers
53
views
Safely grounding RV site which has no ground conductor to house main panel?
Gordian Knot here-
200A Square-D meterbase has ground rod with #4 bare copper + 2/0-2/0-1 URD -> 1974 mobile home 200A Square-D Homeline main panel.
2/2/4 URD ON 100A 2 pole breaker in this box ...
1
vote
0
answers
70
views
Propane tank too close to ground rod?
My propane tank for my home was leaning at a really bad angle after it was set in place. It wasnt too bad at first, but it got worse. I waited until it was empty to move it so I could regrade the ...
- 37.4k
0
votes
1
answer
51
views
Do you separate grounds and neutrals main box?
do you need to separate the grounds and neutrals in main box when adding a subpanel? what about just ground subpanel in same wall as main box with ground from main not from outside rod?
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
75
views
What do I do with the ground wire when I replace a two prong cord with a three prong one?
My father in law gave me an old corded Dewalt orbital sander. It's rated at 120 volts and says it draws 2 amps. The attached power cord is a two prong (hot and neutral), and it's terrible. FIL says ...
- 139
0
votes
1
answer
54
views
How can I add a ground conductor to outside GFI outlets?
I have 3 GFI outlets in and around my garden, they all are showing an open ground. Can I fix this by putting in a grounding rod and grounding them to that?
- 1
3
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Connect electric cable with 4 wires to 3-prong 30 Amp 125-Volt/250-Volt outlet?
I purchased a 3-prong outlet for my dryer. The cable coming out of the breaker box has 4 wires (white, red, black, bare).
I was looking at a youtube tutorial, and it says to connect the white wire to ...
- 2,133
2
votes
1
answer
100
views
Install a second ground, or do I need to feed back this new ground to the main building?
We have a garage separate from the house. The electricity is provided by 2 wires connected from roof of the house to roof of the garage on a 20 amp breaker.
Therefore no ground was provided (because ...
- 21
1
vote
3
answers
134
views
No Ground wiring seen in Main Lug
So I just found out that the Federal Pacific Stab-Lok main lug in my apt has got to go. After opening the cover, I was surprised to see no ground wires at all in there. There is only a neutral bar. ...
- 41
1
vote
2
answers
96
views
I do not see a ground wire to stake at the meter pole. Is this a utility problem?
I do not see a ground wire to stake at the meter pole.
Is this a utility problem?
Do I have to remove the smart meter to add a ground?
2
votes
1
answer
82
views
Is this part of the grounding electrode network and does it need to be hooked into my new service?
I found this on the outside of my house. As a note, the house was build in the 50s and the electric probably hasn't changed much since that time - the grounding all around is pretty bad. I'm doing a ...
- 831
3
votes
1
answer
178
views
What are the bonding and grounding requirements for my heavy-up and new panel?
Jurisdiction is Dayton, OH - currently on NEC 2023.
I'm upgrading from a 100A service going through a meter on the outside of my house and into a main service panel inside my house.
The new system ...
- 831
0
votes
1
answer
158
views
Do service panels in new homes in Texas need to be grounded?
Is there an NEC code that explains if a NEW construction breaker box is installed in a NEW house construction, it has to be grounded (not replacing an old breaker box)? In other words, doesn't a new ...
0
votes
1
answer
151
views
Where is my service panel grounded?
I'm wanting to install a critical loads panel connected to an EG4 6000xp.
This is my main panel and I see the two hots and a neutral but do not see the ground.
Is the main panel grounded?
Top of ...
- 1
3
votes
3
answers
542
views
NEC Code requirements for location of neutral and ground connections
I have one 20amp circuit that runs from the panel box to an accessible junction box in my attic via 12/2 romex. This junction box also contains the 12/2 romex switch leg runs of all six lighting ...
- 31
1
vote
0
answers
154
views
How to install 4 wire plug on old Maytag dryer with two ground wires near connectors? [duplicate]
Attempting to ground older Maytag Legacy Series dryer properly with 14-30 receptacle and 4 prong plug. Can’t find a sticker with model info anywhere on the dryer. (Looked inside and out.) Two ground ...
- 145
0
votes
1
answer
234
views
Stud finder continuously beeping in garage but not inside house
I am trying to find the studs in my garage. When I use the stud finder it continuously beeps. But when I test the walls inside the house it works properly. What is the reason and solution?
Searching ...
- 683
1
vote
2
answers
100
views
Can old EMT conduit be used as a grounding path when it is from an era that did not use grounds?
NEC 358.60 Grounding:
EMT shall be permitted as an equipment grounding conductor.
I have some old EMT from an era before grounding was common. I need a grounding connection at one end of it and ...
- 147
3
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Converting NEMA 10-30 to 14-30 using ground from adjacent 15 amp receptacle
In the picture is the NEMA 10-30 I want to change for the safer grounded 14-30. I learned of the danger of this old receptacle here As you can see in the picture there's a ground that I can use to put ...
- 133
1
vote
1
answer
109
views
Grounding a dryer to a subpanel
Related to Grounding a 3-prong dryer plug, but with a small twist.
I have a NEMA 10-30 that runs back to my main panel. Since we had a leak in the laundry room, I'm having to open the wall. I'd like ...
- 26.3k
0
votes
1
answer
79
views
Can a subpanel ground originate from a separate circuit/conduit?
I have a 30amp pool subpanel wired with 10awg THHN through 3/4" schedule 40 PVC conduit. I'm considering installing a heat pump pool heater which will require a beefier subpanel.
Can I run 2x ...
- 212
12
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Can I use a hose clamp to ground a wire to EMT?
Question:
What are the rules for how to attach a wire to an already grounded EMT conduit? Can I use stainless steel host clamp and tighten down?
Background:
I was installing a metal box for a light ...
- 1,215
0
votes
0
answers
36
views
New Construction Electrical from meter box to: 1-200 amp house service and 1 -separate RV Pedestal with 120 receptacle, and 30 and 50 amp receptacles
We live in Nevada and have 200 amp service. We are running from the meter box to the house (150 ft) with 4/0 4/0 2/0 AL URD to the service panel. We also want to run from the meter to a campground RV ...
0
votes
1
answer
133
views
No obvious neutral in breaker box
Just bought a house built in 1960. No grounds to outlets, not a big issue, just GFI the circuits.
Bought GFI breakers, for the box. I identified the circuits that need the GFI breakers.
There are ...
0
votes
1
answer
114
views
Does short CSST line off of copper need to be grounded to main panel?
The LP gas in my house runs through soft copper tubing. I am adding a gas range and have a chunk of CSST left from adding heat to an outbuilding. If I tap into the copper and run CSST to the range (...
2
votes
2
answers
473
views
Can I bond a ground wire to a junction box that is using metal conduit for ground
I'm trying to clean up a situation where there's originally rigid metal conduit and no ground wires from the panel. Someone has added flexible metal conduit at several junction boxes down line that ...
- 131
0
votes
3
answers
417
views
not sure why this ground wire keeps tripping the breaker
I'm putting in a new switched ceiling outlet in a garage for ceiling shop lights. I want to have a 2-way switch to allow control from either side of the garage. For some reason the breaker trips if I ...
- 3
0
votes
1
answer
59
views
Using a section of copper pipe as a stop gap for ground
Can I use a 20' section of an exposed 3/4" cold water copper pipe in my garage by attaching a proper ground wire from the breaker panel on one end and using the other end as a substitute ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
72
views
Is my light switch box grounded and how to use the ground wires properly
I'm attempting to install a smart light switch and I noticed the old one was not connected to the two bound up ground wires in the box. The box itself seems to be painted metal. I assume the smart ...
- 3
3
votes
3
answers
176
views
Why do electrical fixtures with multiple live/neutral terminals have only one earth terminal? [duplicate]
As can be seen in this illustration:
I became curious about this while rewiring my house recently, in which I've installed a lot of these. Live and neutral almost always tend to have paired line and ...
- 157
0
votes
1
answer
176
views
Why did a wire short to the metal junction box without tripping the breaker?
I opened up a junction box to reconfigure two switches.
I turned the breaker off and unscrewed one switch and all of its wires.
The hot, neutral and ground were separated so they wouldn't touch.
I ...
- 5,156
1
vote
3
answers
176
views
Do I need to ground the junction box for a security light/camera?
I used an existing Romex cable that was not connected to anything (it has power bc I tested with a non contact tester). I drilled through my plaster wall and fed the cable to the outside.
I added an ...
- 5,156