 |
GFCIs in older homes
If you have an older home with an electrical system that doesn't include a grounding wire, can you update some outlets with ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs)? The answer is yes. The National Electrical Code allows for replacement of outlets in ungrounded boxes with GFCIs. Those GFCI units will function as they should, even without being connected to a grounding source. But before you take on the task yourself, you should probably check with an electrician. In some older homes, the electrical circuits are wired with a material called BX, a cable encased in metal sheathing that provides the grounding conductor. If your home has BX you do have a grounding source. A qualified electrician can clarify how your electrical system is wired, advise you about the best way to install GFCIs in your home, or do the work for you.
|
|
|
