I'm replacing the old light switches in my house (1977) with new ones. New repro bush buttons in fact.
The new switches have a ground screw. The old switches don't. And there's no ground wire.
Shall I just ignore the lack of ground? The box is also plastic.
Posted: 12/22/2014 9:32:02 PM EDT
[#1]
Yep no big deal
Posted: 12/22/2014 9:40:26 PM EDT
[#2]
Somebody took a shortcut wiring that place in 77. They started requiring ground wires in the 50s.
Still, not gonna kill ya. hopefully.
You sure the ground isn't just cut off right above the cable jacket?
Posted: 12/22/2014 9:41:45 PM EDT
[#3]
Is the wire attached to the box? Is it a metal box?
Posted: 12/22/2014 9:58:28 PM EDT
[#4]
Don't worry about it.
Posted: 12/22/2014 10:18:54 PM EDT
[#5]
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Quoted: Is the wire attached to the box? Is it a metal box?
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Plastic box. But the consensus here and elsewhere is to not worry about it.
Posted: 12/22/2014 10:27:03 PM EDT
[#6]
You sure there isn't a ground in there? They really are a good thing. But if ya ain't got one, ya ain't got one.
Some guys just didn't believe in them and cut em off. If so ,you'll probably never get enough wire to work with anyway.
Posted: 12/22/2014 10:48:23 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Quoted: You sure there isn't a ground in there? They really are a good thing. But if ya ain't got one, ya ain't got one.
Some guys just didn't believe in them and cut em off. If so ,you'll probably never get enough wire to work with anyway.
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I didn't see one on any of the four switches I'm working on.
All the light fixtures so far have had them though.
Posted: 12/22/2014 11:05:28 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Quoted:
I didn't see one on any of the four switches I'm working on.
All the light fixtures so far have had them though.
View QuoteView All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted: You sure there isn't a ground in there? They really are a good thing. But if ya ain't got one, ya ain't got one.
Some guys just didn't believe in them and cut em off. If so ,you'll probably never get enough wire to work with anyway.
I didn't see one on any of the four switches I'm working on.
All the light fixtures so far have had them though.
Old timers like to cut them off flush. They were ignorant of the importance of them and had never used them, so they didn't need them. They hadn't <yet> been bit by a motor housing on a circular saw.
Posted: 12/25/2014 10:49:18 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote History
Quoted: Somebody took a shortcut wiring that place in 77. They started requiring ground wires in the 50s.
Still, not gonna kill ya. hopefully.
You sure the ground isn't just cut off right above the cable jacket?
View Quote
That was in limited locations back then, kitchens, garages, etc.
I have worked on many houses built in the 60's that have 2 wire romex for bedrooms and living rooms.