Calling All Electricians!

[El Fiendo]

Ok so I've got an older house that only has hot and neutral wiring, no ground in the line. However, I know that essentially a ground acts as a neutral for when a metallic appliance becomes hot (wire comes loose or something similar) and thus it trips the breaker. I also know a neutral and ground run to the same place on the mainboard. So what is it preventing me from hooking the ground wire in a 3 prong outlet up to the neutral wire and keeping the 2 wire lines? If it connects to the same place, what's the need for me to have a third wire in the line?

I need to replace a bunch of the outlets as they are only 2 pronged outlets. If I need new wiring as well, I'm faced with a much larger bill than I can really afford without getting a home reno loan from the bank. I need to do electrical anyways as I'm pretty sure when the previous owner wired in the basement, they only split the entire basement (1000sqft and like 8 or nine outlets + lights) off of two circuits that were already in use upstairs. Plus I've got a mainboard from the 60s and I'd rather have it updated and in the basement.

Now why don't I just get it done right? Aside from money, I also have 7 days before I have a roommate move in. He apparently desperately needs 3 pronged outlets. I'm inclined to tell him to take a leap but I guess him having a mini fridge in his room is required even though he sleeps 12 feet away from the kitchen. Bugger brought it up after signing a 6 month contract. Whatever. I have 7 days to secure a home reno loan and book an electrician and a day off from work. I don't really have that time. I'm competent enough (I've done minor electrical in the past) to change the plugs by myself. But I'm wondering if this solution is even viable. It seems to be 100% in theory, if the lines go to the same place what's the difference? I could also ground the plug to the electrical box in the wall itself, but is it really as bad as hanging a 'you gonna die' sign above the outlet as some people would have you believe? I don't think so, though it most definitely isn't code.

Any electricians (or people with electrician friends) have any ideas?

[Namslas90]

The 'ground wire" normally connects the metal boxes and the ground plug together and to a copper rod driven into the ground either outside or under the house. The coper rods are around 1/2 inch in diameter and are around 5-6 feet long and driven into the ground leaving about 6-8 inches above the ground for connections with a copper cable clamp.

Copper is expensive, around here where I live the rod would cost around $200(maybe a bit less).

[El Fiendo]

Yea, I had this essentially answered as to why this is a bad idea. I guess can't trust every expert and what he tells you. At any rate, it seemed hinky which is why I asked. I think I know the method I'm going to go about it though. If I use GFCI sockets, they'll essentially double as grounded circuits (though the proper ground is safer). But as for the safety thing and cutting it off when the voltage in and out do not match then that works.

Anyways, if anyone has any other suggestion or method, I'm all ears.

[JC316]

I too live in an older house and my dad didn't even bother installing a ground. The 3 prong power devices don't even need it, so he just installed the 3 prong with two wires. My dad is a master electrician for 30 years now, so I trust his judgment.

[Wile E]

I too live in an older house and my dad didn't even bother installing a ground. The 3 prong power devices don't even need it, so he just installed the 3 prong with two wires. My dad is a master electrician for 30 years now, so I trust his judgment.

That's all I did. Ground is only useful when something actually shorts to the ground. Otherwise, all that happens is a fuse/breaker blows.

[Steevo]

Ground is needed for other things, like OTA TV, and some cable companies require it.





Just buy a grounding rod, they are only like $30, and clamp, and enough copper wire to run to your breaker box, or grounding to metal pipes is acceptable.

[Wile E]

Ground is needed for other things, like OTA TV, and some cable companies require it.





Just buy a grounding rod, they are only like $30, and clamp, and enough copper wire to run to your breaker box, or grounding to metal pipes is acceptable.

Neither of which actually effect the electrical outlets.

And a ground rod to his breaker box does shit all if his plug boxes aren't grounded to the breaker box anyway.

[El Fiendo]

I'm only looking for a few month stop gap honestly. I know that its not the best thing and I'm looking to be somewhat safe. However I know pretty much everything you hear is 'OMG ONOZ we all gonna die' when it comes to things not being 'code' when renos are done. After all, stuff that isn't code anymore due to changes in the code isn't wrong until you go to do upgrades, in which it then has to be code. Kinda funky considering how much emphasis on it. Though I know its there for a reason. In time when I secure the home reno loan I'll be redoing the electrical so it fits my needs and brings the house a little more up to date from 1958.


Thanks for all the replies though.