Self Grounding Receptacle
In the united states a separate ground wire may only be run to an existing receptacle to provide a ground for a gfci receptacle if the wires are installed following the national electric code nec.
Self grounding receptacle. Electricity is always in search of the simplest path to reach earth. Get free shipping on qualified self grounding electrical outlets receptacles or buy online pick up in store today in the electrical department. The use of improper electrical outlets can lead to shock or even electrocution. Self grounding receptacles seem to serve the purpose of not having to ground the receptacle itself if the box is sufficiently grounded.
The grounding terminal for an igr is insulated from its metal mounting yoke. This receptacle differs in construction from its self grounding counterpart. If you have a ground wire usually a bare copper or green wire in a cable or conduit arriving in the box it may or may not be grounded which means you should test that for ground. It was common practice here to ground the outlet box only.
The screws attaching the ring or raised cover to the box are not suitable to serve as the grounding path unless so rated. An isolated ground receptacle igr can reduce electrical noise but if installed incorrectly it can create a dangerous installation. The receptacle must meet your approval. If you have a receptacle self grounding or not mounted to a plaster ring on a box roughed in behind drywall or a raised cover on surface mounted box it must be grounded with a ecg.
Self grounding electrical outlets are designed to protect you from electrical shock. The easiest way to upgrade an ungrounded 120v receptacle to get ground protection is to replace it with a gfci outlet. A gfci outlet installation does not protect equipment from power surges. This means you must connect the grounding terminal directly to an effective fault current path by an insulated.
This doesn t turn an ungrounded outlet into a grounded outlet but it does provide protection against shock. Modern building codes require all outlets to be either self grounded or ground fault circuit interrupters.