Tweakers' Asylum

The earth shall not be used as a return ground fault current path to the source.

70.56.4.35

jea48

In Reply to: RE: NOT smart! posted by Zal on June 04, 2007 at 08:02:52

The equipment grounding conductor needs to run back to the panel the branch circuit is fed from.
NEC 2005 allows for the replacement of a 2 wire receptacle where an equipment grounding conductor is not present to be replaced with a GFI receptacle. A GFI receptacle will operate as intended without an equipment ground connected to it.
NEC does require that a label be installed on the recept or cover plate stating there is not an equipment ground present. "No Equipment Ground"

Edits: 06/04/07

Follow Ups:

RE: The earth shall not be used as a return ground fault current path to the source. - Zal 09:21:59 06/04/07 (1)
> The equipment grounding conductor needs to run back to the panel the branch circuit is fed from.

The rules may be different here (Denmark), but I'm certain that the PE doesn't need to run back to the panel. Incidentally I just had a conversation about a nearly identical case with my colleague who has 39 years experience. Additionally, I don't see any reason why that would interfere with the operation of the ground fault interrupter.
- RE: The earth shall not be used as a return ground fault current path to the source. - jea48 11:15:07 06/04/07 (0)
  The rules may be different here (Denmark), but I'm certain that the PE doesn't need to run back to the panel.
  Here in the US it does.
  
  don't see any reason why that would interfere with the operation of the ground fault interrupter.
  
  Here in the US a Residential dwelling does not require, have, a ground fault interrupter on the mains. They are required on certain branch circuits. Example branch circuits feeding kitchens bathrooms, and a few other locations.
  
  A couple of years ago there was a news article telling of a women being electrocuted hunting for fish worms. She had probably used the method in the past but this time her luck ran out. What she had done was taken an old drop cord and connected the hot conductor to a metal rod she would push into the ground by hand, just guessing probably only about a foot or so long. She would then plug in the drop cord into a 120V electrical outlet. It was early in the morning with a heavy dew on the grass. I would guess she went back into the house for a while to wait for the Worms to come to the surface. Her body was found in the yard.
  http://www.mikeholt.com/documents/strayvoltage/pdf/DangersofStrayVoltageandCurrent.pdf
  - Stray earth voltages (Open in New Window)
  Edits: 06/04/07 06/04/07

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