I'm looking for some guidance on replacing a two-outlet CO/ALR grounding receptacle that has a pretty tangled setup behind it. I've found two white wires, two black wires, and a bare grounding wire that had a marrette cap on it. I'm curious why the previous owner or the electrician would choose to cap the ground wire instead of connecting it to the ground screw. Is this considered safe, and what's the best way to handle this during the replacement? Thanks for any insights!
2 Answers
Could it be that the previous wiring just wasn’t up to code? If they capped the ground, it means the outlet was never actually grounded. This could lead to safety hazards, depending on what the outlet powers. Just something to keep in mind as you make your repairs!
Totally agree, safety first! Thanks for the clarification!
It's generally recommended to use pigtails to connect the wires to the outlet. This way, if the outlet has issues, the rest of the circuit stays functional. Connecting a pigtail means you’re ensuring that the entire circuit isn’t affected by one bad outlet. Also, it's important not to connect the ground wire to the neutral. They’re meant to be separate for safety reasons!
Got it, pigtails make sense! But what about the ground wire being capped? Why wouldn’t it be connected to the ground screw?
Great question! It sounds like the previous setup might not have been grounded properly, which is a bit odd. The ground wire should ideally be connected to the ground screw for safety.
That could be right! If the outlet wasn’t grounded, using a pigtail for the ground wire in the new setup would definitely be safer.