This question occured to me while reading the “grounding outlets” thread below.
I also have a 50’s era house and am in the process of installing grounded outlets where there previously have only been 2-prong-ers.
What gets me is…each outlet has ground wires already. The old NM (white fiber wrapped) actually have a ground wire in them that’s grounded in the back of each j-box. This is good news for me obviously, but why in the world wouldn’t they have used grounded outlets?
Was that just not common practice in 50’s construction?
Did 50’s code require the pathway to be grounded but not the recepticles?
When did home electronic items actually start coming standard with grounded cords?
Anyone have a history leson for me? Just curious…
Thanks.
Replies
Good question, I've wondered the same question as to the history, never got around to looking it up.
First grounded cord I personally recall was on Craftsman drill in '53 or so. I've a big 3/4 chuck Souix drill from '50 that originally only had 2 pronger. Grandma bought a new wringer washer in '55 that came with the 2 prong plug yet.
PS: looked on the web, from http://www.codecheck.com/wiring_history.htm#equipmentgrounding
1962 is the first year that the NEC mentions a ground in romex.
Houses built in 1947 on the east coast did not have grounds in the Romex. By 1954, they did. However, the original grounding wire was sized 2 sizes smaller than
the other two conductors, i.e. AWG 14 wire had a AWG 18 grounding wire. Not sure exactly when that practice stopped, but I'd guess in the 1960s
sometime....dboultr
> 1962 is the first year that the NEC mentions a ground in romex.
Houses built in 1947 on the east coast did not have grounds in the Romex. By 1954, they did. However, the original grounding wire was sized 2 sizes smaller than
the other two conductors, i.e. AWG 14 wire had a AWG 18 grounding wire. Not sure exactly when that practice stopped, but I'd guess in the 1960s
sometime.
Edited 8/14/2002 4:05:57 PM ET by JUNKHOUND
THANKS! great history Junkhound.
That leaves me a bit uneasy about my nice ground wires. Since my house was build '53-'54 I'm wondering if indeed I have a ground wire that's 2 sizes to small!!!
They obviouly test OK since they are grounded, but if this is the case how much of a safety issue do I have if my ground is smaller than my conductors?
Is it still better than having no ground at all?
Or should I be buying a bunch of ungrounded outlets and switching back?!
I'll check the wire size tonight....