> Actually, a GFI will protect users of a two-wire ungrounded circuit.
Wow! Thanks for that information! I thought I was doing a good deed to some of the others by passing on information about grounds, and instead received some in return.
Though I once knew enough about radios and tvs to repair them (and for a while repaired the old 8-bit computer motherboads professionally), I have no training as an electrician, and have never bothered to read up on GFIs (or GFCIs). I just assumed they needed a ground wire.
I’ve now checked, though, and confirmed with many sources that they’ll work in the old two-wire houses. I’ll put some in my house. Thanks again.
I believe the Govn’r is correct. The GCFI simply compares the outbound current to the return current. If they differ by more than a few milliamps, it cuts the circuit. The ground wire is nice to enable even those few milliamps to be shorted harmlessly to ground, but not strictly necessary.
When you install your GCFI outlets, remember that they will generally protect ALL the outlets “downstream” from them on a circuit. So, pick the outlet that’s risky (e.g., by the bathroom sink), then trace that circuit back to the fuse box, and find the outlet on that circuit that’s closest to the fuse box — that’s where you install the GCFI. That way you protect every outlet on the circuit for the cost of only one GCFI.
When you install the GFI outlet it will come with some stickers. They do not make 2 prong GFI Outlets. Since the new Outlet will now have a floating ground Pin(unhooked)- You need to put a sticker on the front of the new outlet cover. Use the sticker that says “No Equipment Ground”.