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

http://books.gregvan.com/hiring_contractors_books.htm Click on This Link if you're interested in learning more about Hiring Contractors and some of the problems you could encounter, once you actually do. But if you want to learn more about electrical outlets and grounding wires, you should watch the video. Even though this video provides you with information about a building violation, it would be interesting to find out how many houses have burned down or people have been injured, because of a ground wire installation like this one. Anyway, keep watching our videos and don't forget to visit our websites whenever you possibly can to learn more about your home.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• remodeling
• remodel
• ground wire
• installation
• do it yourself
• house
• repairs
• electrical
• plugs
• outlets
• electrical wire
• building code violation

[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.

[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.

[gregvancom]

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

[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.

[DOESTHEBIBLESAYTHAT]

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