Bootleg grounds -- electrical question

 
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Post by rberq » Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 3:10 pm

I suspect there are one or more bootleg grounds among my electric outlets. I would rather not take apart all the outlets looking for them. Is there a reasonably-priced tester available that will detect them? I’m thinking of something I can plug into the outlet, and it beeps or turns on a light for that specific problem.


 
grumpy
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Post by grumpy » Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 3:15 pm

Bootleg ???

 
rberq
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Post by rberq » Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 3:25 pm

grumpy wrote:
Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 3:15 pm
Bootleg ???
Usually on an old two-wire circuit, with a three-prong plug. Since there is no bare ground wire within the cable, the installer ties the outlet's ground tab to the neutral (white). Naughty, naughty!

 
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Post by Rob R. » Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 3:51 pm

Anything I have seen that can detect this is pretty expensive.

I would just pull the outlets and check. This will also give you an opportunity to make sure all of the connections are snug.

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 4:21 pm

I don't consider myself an electrician at any level lol but if I recall correctly, don't the ground and the white wire go back to the same bar in the breaker box? So I wonder why it would matter..

 
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Post by grumpy » Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 4:39 pm

It matters...

 
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Post by grumpy » Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 4:39 pm

It matters...


 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 4:44 pm

grumpy wrote:
Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 4:39 pm
It matters...
Oh I'm sure it does..
Just wondering why and how.
Guess I should see what google has to say about it.

 
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Post by Holdencoal » Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 4:45 pm

I have an ideal 61-164 tester. Not cheap now that I see current prices. But it still messes up on reverse polarity grounds.

 
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Post by warminmn » Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 4:55 pm

Lightning, just search online with the question, "Can I use a neutral wire for ground" or ground for neutral.

Rberq, Take them apart and while your at it put new plugins in place. They are cheap bought in bulk. Maybe they sell ones that dont have the ground on them, Im unsure. It isnt real bad to add a ground to a few outlets but I wouldnt want to do a whole house.

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 5:00 pm

Lightning wrote:
Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 4:21 pm
I don't consider myself an electrician at any level lol but if I recall correctly, don't the ground and the white wire go back to the same bar in the breaker box? So I wonder why it would matter..
A neutral carries current, the ground does not.

 
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Post by Sunny Boy » Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 5:15 pm

Lightning wrote:
Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 4:44 pm
Oh I'm sure it does..
Just wondering why and how.
Guess I should see what google has to say about it.
It's a backup ground if the neutral wire ever fails for any reason. It's to help keep you from becoming the ground.

If you were old enough to have been around in the days of two wire systems and metal tools and appliances that were NOT double insulated, you'd appreciate the three-wire system.

Got zapped few times as a kid working in a boat yard with wet sneakers and metal housing power tools. I quickly learned the first thing to do when setting up to sand or polish a boat was to find a dry board to stand on. Second lesson was,... don't step off the board while the tool is running. ;)

Paul

 
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Post by Lightning » Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 5:19 pm

warminmn wrote:
Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 4:55 pm
Lightning, just search online with the question, "Can I use a neutral wire for ground" or ground for neutral.
Right.. I learned pretty much what Rob said. The white wire is a return path for the electricity. The ground wire is more for safety in the event that the hot wire touches the metal chassis of a washing machine for example. The ground wire will then force the breaker to trip instead of leaving the washer chassis electrified. Makes sense.
Sunny Boy wrote:
Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 5:15 pm
Got zapped few times as a kid working in a boat yard with wet sneakers and metal housing power tools. I quickly learned the first thing to do when setting up to sand or polish a boat was to find a dry board to stand on. Second lesson was,... don't step off the board while the tool is running.
I got shocked thru a microphone while playing my bass so badly it nearly rendered me unconscious :lol: I quickly learned to first tap the mic with the back of my hand while holding the strings before attempting to sing anything lol

 
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Post by rberq » Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 7:00 pm

Many many moons ago, my wife worked in a restaurant where the frappe mixer was next to a freezer. If she touched both at the same time, she got zapped. Luckily she was young and tough. The boss took immediate action by reminding her now and then not to touch both at the same time. :lol:

 
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Post by freetown fred » Wed. Dec. 22, 2021 7:47 pm

Confused yet R??? LOL--I had a bunch of boot legs in this old farm house--here's what identified them-- company name is "calterm"--Klein tool has them--"receptical tester" cost around $10.00. Orrrrr ya ccan go the expensive route to tell ya the same thing!!! double LOL

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