Can I change my two prong receptacle to a three prong?

Many homes built in the 1950s and earlier were wired in a way that is different than how we wire homes today. These homes were wired with ungrounded branch circuits. That means, instead of like today in which our typical receptacle circuits are wired with a hot, neutral, and an equipment ground wire, these earlier homes only had a hot and a neutral wire in these circuits. So, you live in one of these earlier homes and you need to plug in something that needs that third pin, what do you do? Change the receptacle, but you find that you are missing a wire. 

Section 406.4(D)(2) of the NEC gives the requirements of what to do when that grounding wire is not present. First, if the two prong receptacle is simply damaged, it can be replaced with another two prong receptacle. But that doesn’t help us when we need a three prong receptacle does it?

We can also replace the two prong with a three prong Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, (GFCI) receptacle. When we do this, a label needs to be attached to the receptacle or faceplate that says “No Equipment Ground”. In this case tho, it does not mean that we can “create” a grounding wire from this GFCI receptacle that extends to other loads. The GFCI does not need the equipment ground in order to operate. Check out our previous post about the function of a GFCI.

So then, if you are wanting to replace all the two prong receptacles in a room, they can be changed to three prong receptacles only if they are supplied from a GFCI. These new three prong receptacles must be labeled indicating on the receptacle or faceplate with, “GFCI PROTECTED” and “NO EQUIPMENT GROUND”. Same as before, we are not able to add grounding wire from this GFCI or three prong receptacles. 

With all this said, it is worth stating that yes, these two prong receptacles can be changed to three prong with these code approved methods, but there are a few more things to consider. These receptacles, when in your home, need to be “Tamper Resistant” rated; if outside of your home, they need to be “Tamper and Weather Resistant” rated. In certain areas of your home, they may need to be AFCI protected as well. 

There are things that can be done also, like routing a grounding wire to the receptacle locations, but we need to discuss this and all of its requirements at a later time. 

So when you’re needing to replace a two prong receptacle with a three prong one, remember these requirements and always, contact a licensed electrician for your situation.