[Rav]

I currently have a non-GFCI receptacle in our basement which our washing machine is plugged into, as well as other things from time to time. It's a few feet from a laundry utility sink. I want to replace it with a GFCI receptacle.

It's fed with some type of armored two-wire cable (no ground wire). The cable appears to have a bonding strip (see attached pic -- it's wound up around the armor outside the box). A plug-in receptacle tester indicates it's grounded.

When I install the GFCI, since it's a metal box, do I need to attach a ground wire between the box and the ground screw on the GFCI receptacle, or can it just use the supplied self-grounding clip (leaving nothing attached to the receptacle ground screw)? The metal box doesn't have a ground screw or a hole for one. I know I need to remove the paper insulating washers from the GFCI screws first.

Thanks.

 

[rjniles]

If the GFCI is listed as self grounding, you do not need a seperate ground wire to the box.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-...lim-GFCI-Outlet-White-R72-GFNT1-0RW/205996720

 

[Jim Port]

It is going to depend on the raised cover style that you install in the box. That box should have a tapped hole in the back for a 10-32 ground screw.

 

[Rav]

It is going to depend on the raised cover style that you install in the box. That box should have a tapped hole in the back for a 10-32 ground screw.

You're right, Jim, there is a hole in the back that a ground screw fits in. I hadn't seen it at first. I'm not sure what you mean by "raised cover style." If you're referring to the junction box cover that the GFCI will come through, I've attached a picture below (it's metal). The GFCI I'm planning on installing is the Leviton GFNT1 (http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ProductDetail.jsp?partnumber=GFNT1-RW). Do you think that even though there's a self-grounding clip on the GFCI that I should also attach a ground wire between the box ground screw and the GFCI ground screw?

 

[123pugsy]

Do you think that even though there's a self-grounding clip on the GFCI that I should also attach a ground wire between the box ground screw and the GFCI ground screw?

Go for it if it makes you more comfortable.

 

[Rav]

Go for it if it makes you more comfortable.

Thanks for the reply, pugsy. It's not about my being more comfortable. I was just responding to Jim saying "It is going to depend on the raised cover style that you install in the box." That made me wonder whether he thought I should also install a ground wire. If installing a ground wire in addition to the self-grounding clip is more reliable, then I'll be glad to do it. If it makes no difference, then I won't bother.

 

[Jim Port]

I would install a ground pigtail and use a raised cover like this one.

https://www.google.com/search?q=rai...e16KfKAhWCQSYKHc_2BD4Q7AkIQA&biw=1360&bih=643

 

[Rav]

I would install a ground pigtail and use a raised cover like this one.

https://www.google.com/search?q=rai...e16KfKAhWCQSYKHc_2BD4Q7AkIQA&biw=1360&bih=643

OK, I'll install a ground pigtail. The link you posted resulted in a boatload of images of different covers. Assuming it was the first one on the page that you meant (which is the one at http://www.grainger.com/product/RACO-Electrical-Box-Cover-5AA26), why do you prefer that to the one I already have? Just want to understand. Thanks.

 

[rjniles]

The one you posted in the first picture is intended for recessed application. The one Jim posted and your Granger link is more appropriate for surface mounting.