How is GFI grounded when retrofitted in an existing older home with no Ground. I’ve seen this many times where a new GFI is used in place of the original outlet.
It’s not really a GFI then is it?
ML
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Replies
Yes the GFCI part still works
A GFCI does not need a ground to work.
It works by measure the difference in the current in the hot lead and the neutral and will trip if they differ by more than 5 ma.
In fact GFCI's are specifically allow to proved for grounding style receptacles and downstream 3 prong receptacles without have a ground connection.
They are suppose to have a label that says "No Equipment Ground", but that is rarely done.
But many GFCI's do come with such labels.
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
Thanks Bill Thats the answer I was looking for.ML
As Bill indicated, GFCIs do not need a functional ground wire to work. However, if you really want a ground, for whatever reason, a separate ground wire can (usually) be fished and it was legal code when I installed some in my house. I assume it still is allowed. There are a number of ways in which the a separate ground wire can be run into an attic, a crawl space, or outside and then attached to a ground rod. Many books on DIY house wiring have sections describing the various tricks for this.