Another option would be a GFCI breaker (at the load center) which takes the place of the regular circuit breaker. A GFCI outlet can take the place of a standard ungrounded outlet in any location and it now becomes a much safer outlet. These can be installed in one of two locations. Perhaps one of the cheapest and simplest ways to address this issue is by utilizing a GFCI (also known as a Ground Fault Circuit interrupter). There are cheap fixes available for those home owners who do not want to rewire their entire house. An exception to this rule is allowed by the National Electrical Code, when the outlet is protected by a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI).

This will require a licensed Electrician to install the new wire from the load center to these grounded type outlets.

Grounded type outlets are not suppose to be substituted for ungrounded outlets unless a new grounded wire is installed to this outlet. But.these upgraded outlets are still not grounded without upgrading the entire branch wire that feeds the outlet. So they replace the two slotted ungrounded outlet with a grounded type outlet and it now becomes much more convenient for them to utilize these outlets in their home. Most of today’s appliance cords contain a three prong plug and it becomes a nuisance when homeowners (of ungrounded electrical systems) are attempting to locate three socket outlets for the grounded plugs. People tend to replace 2 wire ungrounded outlets with ungrounded type outlets in order to establish a more convenient outlet for their three prong appliances. The problems for owners of older homes start when two wire ungrounded outlets are removed and substituted with the grounded type outlets without the necessary rewiring that will add a ground wire to the newly installed grounded type outlet. THIS IS WHERE UNGROUNDED OUTLET PROBLEMS BEGIN. While it is not usually required to upgrade ungrounded outlets in your home today, it is still a good idea because a properly wired home is a much safer home for you and your family. Many ungrounded outlets have been installed in the older homes, but as the years went by the electrical standards have changed and are absolutely required in newer homes. Older wiring never contained a ground wire so any ungrounded outlets in your home were originally wired in this manner and are considered acceptable, but they do have their safety issues. For this particular article, I will refer to these outlets as UNGROUNDED outlets and GROUNDED outlets. The ungrounded outlets are easily distinguishable by their two slot configuration verses the newer grounded type of outlets that have the two slots with a hole (ground socket) centered under the slots. Let's start off by distinguishing an ungrounded outlet from a grounded outlet.

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