Do-It-Yourself Ground Wire Installation - Building Code Violation

[Firestarter169]

What a hack job he did not even take the time to wrap the wires around the screws.

[madddman1324]

this has nothing to do with the video but why are some outlets installed upside down? ive always wondered why

[gregvancom]

@madddman1324 Actually I think it's personal preference for some and I don't know for whether or not installing a plug upside down would be breaking any building codes. But for the most part I think someone either made a mistake or did it for personal reasons.

[RockinReminiscence]

@madddman1324 Usually you'll see outlets installed with the grounding prong side up in hospitals or other type of patient care facilities. The idea behind it is if a plug were partially pulled out but still making electrical contact, that any object falling on the exposed area would contact the grounding prong instead of an energized prong. When patients have electrodes hooked up to them, they are especially at risk for shock hazards and extra safety precautions are warranted.

[RockinReminiscence]

@madddman1324 Interestingly enough, I couldn't find any code in article 517 (governs health care occupancies) of the National Electric Code that specifically stated that outlets installed in health care facilities must be installed ground prong side up. It's probably part of another safety document though.

[gregvancom]

@RockinReminiscence It actually could simply be a personal preference and left up to the electrician or property owner.

[Arabhacks]

First off, if it is indeed copper water pipe no one is going to get shocked, the diameter of the smallest pipe can handle a massive electrical fault, far greater than a 15 or 20 amp circuit.

Second, adding a proper ground is preferred, but any good ground is better than none, and note that I said good ground.

I have connected to a steel or copper pipe for a local ground where the panel had no ground lugs, older panels.

Not up to code? the older installs had no grounds at all.

Not required.

[gregvancom]

@Arabhacks I totally agree, if you're suggesting that anything is going to be better than nothing. The main point to remember is something like this might not meet local building codes.

[theogt821]

It does look like the cable has a ground wire in it. However, having more than one wire attached to a screw is a definite no-no, which appears to be what's going on with this installation. If that wire is going elsewhere it should be attached at the service entrance panel rather than just any water pipe in the house. This definitely looks dangerous.

[gregvancom]

@theogt821 Thanks for your input. I'm pretty sure this was a temporary fix, but let's not forget, most building codes wouldn't accept it.

[Generation3electric]

It looks like you have two ground wires on the green screw. That wire could be bringing a ground elsewhere. I have a close up video of a similar wire/outlet on my channel. That green cable should have a ground wire in it.

[robotnaghandi]

For pre-existing installations, a supplementary equipment grounding conductor may be installed -- concealed or exposed -- between non-grounded locations and the main disconnect/service panel OR the primary grounding electrode of the building (usually the water main where it enters the building in a buried pipe). A nearby water pipe (such as a nearby bathroom or a radiator pipe) will get the job done, but doesn't comply with 2011 National Electric code. Use a listed ground clamp at the pipe.

[gregvancom]

@robotnaghandi Thanks for you input, it's greatly appreciated.

[DOESTHEBIBLESAYTHAT]

you would get more hits if you showed how to  without groundwire