Fix Open Ground Outlets | 4 Options 

Your statement that electricity will flow along the ground wire and dissipate into the earth is completely wrong! Electricity always returns to its source; the last transformer it passed through usually. The purpose of the ground wire is to force the wayward electricity back through the circuit breaker.

@@PetesGuide modern grounding has several ways it adds extra layers of protection. The ground wire in an outlet provides a safe path for excess electricity to flow in case of a short circuit, preventing electrical shock and fire. In the event of a short circuit, the ground wire trips the circuit breaker, preventing a dangerous shock. Fire prevention The ground wire provides a safe path for excess electrical charges, preventing electrical fires. Equipment protection The ground wire can protect sensitive electronics from voltage spikes and surges.

Thanks Josh

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the positive feedback 😊🛠️🛠️

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching and your nice comment 😊🛠️🛠️

You have explained it correctly. Only use the line connection, including downstream outlets if you only want that individual outlet to have fault protection. But if you know which outlets are downstream and also want them to have fault protection, go ahead and use the load screws. But remember to label them as not grounded , but you still have fault protection, which is a nice improvement.

In your example you would want to keep those conductors totally separate (such as red & black) Good luck 🛠️🛠️

Yes, absolutely. If you install GFCI outlets AND use the provided sticker in the box to label it as ungrounded you are good. I’ve seen code officials pass these all the time. Unless there’s some NYC rule I don’t know about. Good luck my friend 🛠️🛠️

Yes people do strange things. Some thought ground wires were a waste of time. Thanks for sharing your issue 🛠️

The best answer is yes you WILL have far better protection than you do now. Go for it 🛠️🛠️

Weird. You could try a different tester. Also check that the ground wire connection is tight at the panel and your outlet.

@@HomeRapidRepair ok thank you I will check

Yeah, it is possible your power strip is faulty or has a loose connection. Also keep in mind when you use these plug testers. The internal circuitry has to make its best judgment call on which display to show you… So even though it shows correct wiring sometimes you could have a loose ground, for example.

@@HomeRapidRepair I initially thought maybe the power strip is grounded but the ground LED bulb is burnt. Then again, if the power strip indeed has ground fault, but my tester says correct wiring, i'm questioning the reliability of these testers.

@@nhitc6832 I use the same “cheap” $10 testers as you 😂 Electrician’s testers can be hundreds of dollars…

Also, will downstream outlets be protected or should each one be replaced with a GFCI receptacle?

You will have fault protection, much better than you currently have 😊👍🏼

You get to choose if downstream outlets are protected or not. For new DIY’ers I say install a new GFCI outlet at each location. Option 2 if the lower terminals on the GFCI outlet has a sticker, remove this sticker and install your downstream wires here and this circuit will have protection too 🛠️🛠️

Gfi may help with surge if that's what ur wondering but I doubt it may need to consult an electrician. Gfi's purpose is to protect humans from receiving a shock or ( not )becoming electrocuted.

Grounding is about protection against electric shocks. You should not connect things especially anything connected to antenna to your computer when it is on. An ungrounded computer gets 60 V to the case but the current is limited.

No it’s still ungrounded. However you now have fault protection and it’s much safer than before 🛠️🛠️

@RapidRepair Thanks for the repley, so can I run a pigtail to the metal box to the grounding screw on the socket to get a ground then .

@@bric7244 Yes that should work for you.

@@HomeRapidRepair thank you