1950’s home. No ground but adding a GFCI. Need help

[vetteguy53081]

There are plug-in GFCI units for portability and protection out there.

 

[Denisk]

So I installed the gfci and added the label. But noticed that the gfci checker that you plug in to see if it trips, doesn’t work. I then read that gfci checkers don’t trip non grounded gfcis. Interesting....

 

[tank o tang]

If you have a metal box and your house is old do not assume its grounded. Knob and tube wire has no 3rd wire or metal cover like bx or conduit.

 

[Esage]

Hey all,

I have a question for any electricians and or people who can help me with this. Just bought my first house with my wife (SUPER HAPPY) however it is a 1950’s single family home. I set up up my tank and noticed the outlet I plan to use isn’t grounded. Now I can’t unfortunately add a ground at the moment with running a ground wire all the way to electrical box. So what I wanted to know if I can still install a GFCI outlet. I read online that a gfci will technically still work without a ground wire screwed into the green bolt. I’m far from an electrician but I want to make sure what I read was right. I do plan to eventually run a ground wire but wanted to know if the gfci can still be installed and safely work as is.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Yes, you can use a GFCI outlet.

 

[Brew12]

So I installed the gfci and added the label. But noticed that the gfci checker that you plug in to see if it trips, doesn’t work. I then read that gfci checkers don’t trip non grounded gfcis. Interesting....

Most GFCI checkers work by putting a high resistance connection between the hot and ground. This allows a very small amount of current to flow between the two. If there is no ground connected, there is no path for current flow, so the GFCI will not trip.