GFCI Grounding and other ?

[kenimpzoom]

Does a GFCI plug have to be grounded to be up to Texas code?<br /><br />If I use regular wire to run a plug to my barn, will it be legal if I put it inside plastic conduit and bury it?<br /><br />Do all splices HAVE to be done in a box? I had to splice a foot of wire to reach the exsisting box.<br /><br />Is there a minimum height off the ground that an ouside plug has to be?<br /><br />Thanks, Ken

 

[toomanyboats]

Re: GFCI Grounding and other ?

The Gfi needs the ground or it won't work(Ground Fault)<br />You can put wire in conduit,It cant be romex it must be single wires as romex gets HOT.<br />Never splice without a box as it will come back to haunt you later, and not to code.<br />16" is standard height for an outside plug,It must be waterproof and have a waterproof cover.<br />Hopes that helps

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: GFCI Grounding and other ?

Oh yea, can a ground be legal if I just ran a ground wire into a stake in the ground, and not all the way back to the breaker box.<br /><br />This is an old house with no grounds.<br /><br />I have a GFCI plug outside that I have grounded to a metal stake in the ground, rather than run the ground wire all the way back to the breaker box.<br /><br />Also, I have heard others say that a GFCI does not have to be grounded to be legal.<br /><br />Ken

 

[crab bait]

Re: GFCI Grounding and other ?

it should be grounded BUT it's not nessisary to be grounded.. an is per code if'n it's not..<br /><br />many gfi's are installed in older 2-wire non ground wire applications.. as the ground wire doesn't need/come-into-play in a gfi..<br /><br />it's works off mi-nute voltage differance bettween the hot & neutral wires.. as in ,, what goes to/thru,,must come back/return.. any differance must be going elsewhere as in/thru your body.. <br /><br />but that being said.. ANY new construction/NEW wiring,, must have a ground wire..<br /> <br /><br /> ALL SPLICES must be in a ACESSIBLE housing.. box, fitting,ect..<br /><br />there is no height requirement for a recepticale.. 16, 18, 44,48 is all good

 

[vipzach]

Re: GFCI Grounding and other ?

In Oklahoma, you have to use a grounding rod, I believe they are 8 to 10 foot long. You can't just use a short stake. Then you have to bond to the stake. <br /><br />I don't know if a GFCI will work or be legal without a ground wire.<br /><br />Like toomany said, use a box for your splices, and don't run romex in pipe. If you don't want to run pipe and pull wire, the make direct burial romex. I don't really recommend it, critters will still want to chew on it. Do use a weather proof cover for the plug though.

 

[crab bait]

Re: GFCI Grounding and other ?

it's a no go on the stake or legal size uL approved ground rod..<br /><br />here's the deal..<br /><br />a ground rod is a poor ground .. especially in dry times/climates..way to much resistance..<br /><br />plus.... here's the kicker.. one property can only have one ground rod.. <br /><br />BUT a property can have a million ground rods.. they just have to be connected together but at least a # 8 awg wire..<br /><br />sounds horrible.. but say if'n you come from the panel to a shed gr rod..<br /><br /> an from panel to a swim pool gr rod.. <br /><br />an from panel to garage gr rod.. <br /> <br />they are already connected together automaticaly via the panels buss bar.. to the main service ground/ground rod already terminated in the buss bar..<br /><br />the best ground is always the cold water pipe.. if'n the pipes an water service is not plastic.. if'n it is .. the gas service pipe..

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: GFCI Grounding and other ?

One last question, is romex just the regular wire I buy at Home Depot/Lowes?<br /><br />Or is it something special?<br /><br />Ken

 

[vipzach]

Re: GFCI Grounding and other ?

Romex, the stuff that has the wire inside of it. For example 12/2 will have a ground a black and a white wire. 12/3 will have ground, red, white, and black. The jacket of the romex will be different colors, depending on the size of wire.

 

[crab bait]

Re: GFCI Grounding and other ?

yeah,, just regular ole' plastic sheathed wire.. <br /><br />i have run romex thru conduit.. but not suppose to.. <br /><br />best to skin off the outter jacket so you just have the inner conductors..<br /><br />tape together.. an feed.. <br /><br />if'n you have no fish tape,, use a shop vac..<br /><br />take a corner off a baggie.. so you have a tri-angle piece of corner baggie (parachute) )..put in a bb or pellet or tiny pebble in the corner point..<br /><br /> ty some fishing line ( on spool ) to the corner.. the bb keeps the knot..<br /><br />stuff the parachute in the pipe.. suck/vaccum the other end..<br /><br />then ty on heavier string pull back with wires attached..

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: GFCI Grounding and other ?

Thanks a lot for all the info guys.<br /><br />Gonna be selling the house soon and I want a clean inspection report.<br /><br />I think I will just pull up the wire I buried and let the next owner do what ever they want.<br /><br />Ken

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: GFCI Grounding and other ?

crab bait, I thought about using the gas pipe for ground but then I thought that there is no way that could be legal.<br /><br />I would be concerned a short to ground could cause a spark, or the gas pipe to get hot and then BOOM!<br /><br />Ken

 

[crab bait]

Re: GFCI Grounding and other ?

nahhh,, it's actually required if'n a property has gas service.. groundwire to water an gas.. an bonded jumper across the meters.. ( in-case the meters are removed for service/replacement )<br /><br />it's safe an required.. can't KA-BOOM.. <br /><br />BUT the only way it can is if the ground connection at the pipe ( a pipe clamp is used/required ) ..( $ couple bucs ) is really loose an the gas pipe has a leak, also.. an a major ground fault/short takes place..<br /><br />very unlikely..