No ground electrical plug - easy fix?

[blueangel2323]

So it's a really old house with an electrical system that still uses fuses. Worst thing is, it doesn't have a ground plug. All the outlets only have 2 holes in them. When I have to plug in something 3-pronged like a computer, I have to use a modified adapter that eliminates the ground, which of course isn't the safest thing. Is there any easy way to fix this without rewiring the house and thereby destroying all the walls and at a great expense? I hear that you can make a ground by attaching a wire to a water pipe, but I don't know what kind of pipe? Does any pipe work?

[CheapScotsman]

In your circumstances, there is only one way to get a properly grounded receptacle and that is to rewire the house

However, if you just want increased personal protection you could replace reach receptacle with a GFCI receptacle ... pricey (around $20 per receptacle) but cheaper that getting the house rewired or a funeral.

Hint ... You might get more ideas in the Home and Garden forum

[blueangel2323]

hmm, right, can a mode please move this to the home & garden forum? thanks

[i6s1]

You can ground to a water pipe if:

1. It is a COLD water pipe. The hot water pipes run through the hot water heater, which is not good if it's gas.

2. If there is NO non-metal pipe between the contact point and the point where the pipe leaves the house. This is almost a given on a house that old.

Even if you don't know if you have non-metal pipe in the way, then it is still better to ground to a pipe then to nothing at all.

I don't know if it's up to code to use a pipe, but even if it isn't, then it's still safer then using no ground.

[hooch]

I've seen adapters which take a two pronged outlet and add an exposed metal flap which you can tie a wire to, and lead it to a cold water pipe. Essentially, you need to hook the ground wire up to some conducting material that leads to... the ground! Unfortunately, if a cold water pipe is too far, the only proper way to handle things is to rewire, like everyone else is saying.