|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
66.108.233.195
I just moved into an apartment in an old building in Brooklyn, and I've made two discoveries -- one good, one bad -- as they relate to my audio system. First, the good: I discovered a 20-amp dedicated line on the wall where I had planned to locate my electronics. (This must have been installed for a window A/C unit, which I don't need.) Now, the bad: there is no ground wire available in that box (or in any other box in the apartment, for that matter) -- just black and white running in. This is despite the fact that all of the outlets in the apartment were changed at some point to 3-prong versions. :-/ As I mentioned, this is an old building ... and I guess wiring has never been replaced.Rewiring isn't on anyone's list of priorities (including mine), and so I'm going to have to live with it. The question is, how best to do that? Are there any precautions I should take, things I need to avoid, etc.? (If it matters, my electronics are up to date in my profile.) Is there any way to reconfigure this one line to add a ground? I imagine that someone will recommend grounding to a water pipe, but I don't think that this is an option -- regardless of whether or not it's a legit idea.
I'll soon install an audio-grade outlet (Furutech or Oyaide to upgrade the Hubbell that I've been using) -- which I assume won't be any less up to code than the generic 3-prong outlet that's presently there. Oh well ... I've always wanted to experiment with floated ground; here's my chance!
Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions...
Edits: 11/05/16Follow Ups:
Jim,
If you have a multi meter- check to see if the box is grounded as has been suggested and re-iterated by Sgreen & jea48-
If the bos is good as a ground - Done-
If not-
I presume that in a house in Brooklyn (I was Born in Brooklyn) of that age, it has steam heat- on the cold side of the radiator - you could fashion a ground -
Or have an electrician fix it -
Happy Listening
I'd just install some of these and call it a day.https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/GFCI
You can get them at lowes, home depot etc.
but anyway if you are going to use one of the outlets in your post check if the metal box that the outlet is installed into is grounded. You may luck out
http://structuretech1.com/2009/04/how-to-fix-ungrounded-three-prong-outlets/
Edits: 11/06/16
You need to check for the ground as SgreenP@MSN.com said.NEC Code does not require an equipment ground wire must be installed if metallic conduit is the raceway for the branch circuit wiring. The conduit, if approved, per NEC is an acceptable equipment grounding conductor.
If the receptacles are 3 wire grounding type you can check if you have an equipment grounding conductor, metal conduit, all the way back to the electrical panel. Problem is how good is the conductivity integrity of the grounding conductor.
The fact you said the branch circuit was installed for a window air condition somewhat dates the install. Also the fact you said the color of the wires are black and white is a good thing. The original wire insulation would have been cloth covered rubber. Color can be hard to make out after this many years.
If you have a multi-meter you can check for 120V nominal voltage from the Hot contact of the receptacle, smaller blade slot of the two, to the "U" shaped hole ground contact.You can also check the branch circuit receptacle outlet with a plug in circuit/polarity checker
Edits: 11/06/16 11/06/16
I own a home built in 1956. All copper wire but no ground. Others are correct in the fact the grounds carry much of the noise. I suggest you replace the AC outlets with better ones and call it a day.
But then so does a population dense location. Good luck.
ET
"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936
You could have an electrician run a separate ground wire, especially, to locations that probably need them. It is usually just a bare copper wire that is easily painted so it is not so visually intrusive. I've seen homes with them and I don't know the exact requirements, but they must be in electrical code.
I think your electronics will work just fine without it, but it is a SAFETY feature, which is why it is in electrical code. I wouldn't go touching your equipment all the time, especially NOT with one hand on one piece of equipment and another hand on another routinely. But just operating a volume or selector switch with one hand could at most just give you a buzz at worst, I am guessing. Of course, you don't have the equipment in a garage with concrete floors that may have moisture problems! Then, definitely get a ground installed.
I'm not an electrician, though.
I had an older house years ago, and although the outlets were 2 prong, the boxes themselves were grounded....check to see if that's the case with your situation.
Post a Followup:
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: