[DavidSeon]

While remodeling our house we have found that most of the electrical outlets are not grounded; the bare ground wires are just twisted together in the back of the boxes and pass through; they are not connected to the outlet grounding screws. The only two grounded outlets are in the bathrooms. The house was built in 1980 and has never had any 2-pin ungrounded type outlets, or other electrical problems.

This seems really strange, surely this isn't enough of a shortcut to save the builder money. Is there any logical reason the house might have been wired this way?

Is there any reason I should NOT ground all of them now?

Thanks
Dave

 

[jlhaslip]

Metal boxes? or plastic?
I agree there should be a ground wire to the receptacle. At least how I was taught.
Metal boxes will provide a ground of sorts, but the direct connection is better, I think.

 

[joed]

If the boxes are metal they could have used self grounding receptacle.
I would have connected the ground wires.

 

[DavidSeon]

Hard off-white plastic boxes, non-conductive.

 

[Arrow3030]

Your wiring is old. Anything pre PVC is old. That doesn't mean it's bad or needs a re wire. Is the grounding wire the same size as the current carrying conductors?

 

[Jim Port]

Sounds strange for a house from 1980. The grounds should have been connected to the receptacles .

 

[MrElectricianTV]

While remodeling our house we have found that most of the electrical outlets are not grounded; the bare ground wires are just twisted together in the back of the boxes and pass through; they are not connected to the outlet grounding screws. The only two grounded outlets are in the bathrooms. The house was built in 1980 and has never had any 2-pin ungrounded type outlets, or other electrical problems.

This seems really strange, surely this isn't enough of a shortcut to save the builder money. Is there any logical reason the house might have been wired this way?

Is there any reason I should NOT ground all of them now?

Thanks
Dave

It sounds as though your house was wired by someone not qualified to do so. It also sounds as though it did not have an electrical inspection. I would open up every outlet, switch and light fixture to check on the wiring.

 

[DavidSeon]

Thanks for the replies, I guess it will just remain a mystery. At least they're grounded now.

 

[jeffnc]

This seems really strange, surely this isn't enough of a shortcut to save the builder money.

It saves time, and time might or might not = money depending on the situation. Could be a lazy electrician, or someone not really qualified or informed. Lots of people do things because that's what they've seen done in the past. Obviously, not a licensed and ethical electrician was doing it.