Old house electrical question.

[N80]

I am moving into my grandmother's house. It is over 80 years old. My dad was born and grew up in it.

We are going to have extensive renovations done since it is basically unchanged in 80 years except for AC downstairs.

Anyway, we are going to live in the house for the two months of planning before the work starts. I just noticed today that all of the outlets (there aren't many) have just two prong holes, no ground. What can I do to safely run my computer and a few other appliances that have three prong plugs? This can be a short term solution as we will have them all changed over two three prong outlets during the renovation.

 

[/pine]

Although it is not "to code" in the SE US...I have many times run a single conductor from a grounded water line etc. to an outlet for TV's, computers etc...

 

[captaincrab55]

Although it is not "to code" in the SE US...I have many times run a single conductor from a grounded water line etc. to an outlet for TV's, computers etc...

One should check to see if BX was installed, if so use a tester to check for a ground...

 

[smfcpacfp]

I would just get some 3 into 2 adaptors for the time being for the 3 prong appliances, of course you don't get the benefit of the ground.

I am curious does the house have the old "knob and tube", single stand wiring they used originally when they put electricity in houses. I assume you are going to start from scratch with a new service panel, etc.

 

[studor]

As others have said , I would run a ground for a few critical outlets like computer, printer, microwave and buy a few adaptors. Some old adaptors have a ground wire that can be attached to a ground run from a pipe etc. Living in a house while it is being renovated will be a far greater challenge -- don't ask me how I know (several times over)

 

[captaincrab55]

I would just get some 3 into 2 adaptors for the time being for the 3 prong appliances, of course you don't get the benefit of the ground.

One could install a GFI receptacle & meet NEC requirements in this case.. Keep in mind that you still won't have a ground...

 

[N80]

Thanks for the advice guys, but I'm an electrical idiot.

1)What is the risk of running a few things without the ground?
2) I've seen the two into three adapters with the little ground wire coming off it. I'm assuming I can run a wire to a pipe or whatever. What kind of wire? Bare? Large gauge?

There is knob and tube wiring in the basement but there is also a large modern breaker panel down there as well. I have no idea what this means.

Thanks again.

 

[captaincrab55]

Thanks for the advice guys, but I'm an electrical idiot.

1)What is the risk of running a few things without the ground?
2) I've seen the two into three adapters with the little ground wire coming off it. I'm assuming I can run a wire to a pipe or whatever. What kind of wire? Bare? Large gauge?

There is knob and tube wiring in the basement but there is also a large modern breaker panel down there as well. I have no idea what this means.

Thanks again.

Can you spot us a few pictures of the existing wiring??

 

[mjarrels]

Only 80 years old... thats a new house around here. My old house is civil war era, but has updated electric with the mandated outside cut off. My 11 year old new house doesn't even have that.

mark

 

[/pine]

1)What is the risk of running a few things without the ground?

many electronic devices (especially TVs etc.) are susceptible to power surges that without a way to ground the surge can be damaged...