Can you change a 2 prong outlet to a 3 prong outlet?

Answer 1

for USA, Canada and other countries running a 60 Hz supply service.

You will need to run a ground wire from the main breaker panel to the socket outlet.

If by some miracle there is a ground wire there already, you just need to replace the socket outlet.

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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

Answer 2

The only safe and correct way to do this is to pull a third wire to provide the ground connection. This may be extremely difficult, but just putting a three wire receptacle on the two wires and leaving the ground off isn't smart. Before you ask, yes, it can be done. But to repeat what has been said ('cause it's worth repeating), it isn't wise to replace a two-wire receptacle with a three-wire receptacle and leave the ground open. Note: It is beyond foolish to "tinker" with electrical wiring unless you have a good general knowledge of what you are working with and unless you work safely. You can be killed, injured, or suffer significant property loss due to fire. You can also put others at risk. Think before you do. Be sure you honestly assess your skills and work from there.

Answer 3

You don't! 2-wire outlets lack a ground wire, which is necessary for safety. While they were legal (and common) years ago, every municipality I'm aware of has outlawed the installation of 2-wire outlets. If your home already has one, it MAY be allowed to remain (check your local laws) but you can no longer install one new. By not using the third wire, the safety ground, you are putting yourself and your loved ones at risk. Don't do it!

Answer 4

I have a question about this 3rd wire. So in this old house, wired with only 2-pronged outlets, apparently an electrician came in and added some 3-pronged outlets, on opposite sides of the living room. Now the kitchen still has only 2-prong outlets, but we want to plug in our microwave oven (which of course has a 3-prong plug) in the kitchen, not in the living room.Here's the deal: the wall that separates the living room from the kitchen is one that has a 3-prong outlet installed. To make things even more opportunistic, the 3-prong outlet (facing the living room) is mounted to the same stud as a two prong outlet facing into the kitchen.You should know where I'm going with this: instead of running the 3rd wire from my kitchen 2-prong all the way back to the electrical box (in order to convert it to a 3-prong), can I just run a short ground wire to the ground on the adjacent 3-prong and call it a day? I would have a nice installation because I could fish this wire between the two outlets inside the wall. My tester indicates that the 3-prong has a good ground, but I know that it was installed later than the rest of the house and is definitely on a separate circuit. Is there a problem with this approach?

<<>>There is no problem doing this at all. It is safer to have an unorthodox ground that none at all. Your approach is no different that normal home branch circuit wiring, that all receptacles on the circuit share the same ground wire. This is the more sensible approach that just changing the kitchen two wire receptacles to three wire receptacles and not connecting the ground at all.

Well, to do it properly would mean redoing the wiring as well, as the 3rd prong needs a wire too.