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Quick Junction Box Grounding Question

Posted by ntl1991 (My Page) on
Mon, Dec 13, 10 at 16:23

There are a few live wires just hanging in my basement (they are capped off and taped, along with a splice that's exposed, and they are not inside boxes as per code. So I picked up a couple of metal junction boxes. My problem is that the wires that are spliced are original 1940's NM without a grounding conductor. These boxes need to be grounded per code. How do I ground the boxes if there are no grounding conductors entering the junction boxes?

Do I have to buy plastic ones instead?


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Quick Junction Box Grounding Question

If you aren't altering the circuit, you aren't required to bring it up to the current code. Go ahead and use the metal JBs.


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RE: Quick Junction Box Grounding Question

Aha. Thanks for that tip.

-Nick


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RE: Quick Junction Box Grounding Question

"If you aren't altering the circuit, you aren't required to bring it up to the current code. Go ahead and use the metal JBs."

Not true.

Any alteration to an electrical system is required to conform to Code.

If you install metal boxes, you need to ground them.

This is typically done by installing a grounding conductor to a grounding electrode or to the grounding bus or bar in the panel.

You will also be required to connect the grounding conductor to a grounding screw in the box.

That said, it is easier to install plastic boxes.


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RE: Quick Junction Box Grounding Question

Aha. I see.

Well, I guess I'm out to get some plastic boxes, then.

Thanks,
Nick


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