Grounding Receptacles
#1
05-07-03, 11:08 AM
Grounding Receptacles
I've followed with interest the many discussions of how to ground receptacles in older houses. Mine is about 40 years old in Fairfax County VA. My electrician told me the boxes are grounded and I can ground the receptacles by connecting the grounding screw on the receptacle to the back of the box. A salesman at Home Depot said I can use self-grounding receptacles, which have a copper clip where the receptacle ear attaches to the box. If I follow the salesman's advice, (a) will it make a good ground? and (b) will it meet code?
#2
05-07-03, 12:51 PM
If your electrician tested to the box and found that it is indeed grounded, yes, a receptacle with a self-grounding clip will meet code. But, in my opinion, a pigtail from the receptacle to the ground screw in the box is a much better gound.
