Installing new garbage disposal, Grounding questions

[Red Squirrel]

Actually to test you don't really need to open anything up, get an extension cord and plug it into a nearby outlet and bring it under the sink with you and then put one probe on the box of the disposal (one you showed) then the other probe into the hot terminal in the extension cord, it will be the smaller one, on the right. If you get a reading of 120 then it's a proper ground.

If the ground is bad, it will still work fine, but could become a hazard in the future if something in it malfunctions. Anything involving water you want to always ensure there's a good ground. Well, the test wont tell you how good it is, just that you have one.

 

[Howard]

nm

 

[Howard]

I'll agree with that when cost is no concern, after that it's always going to be about weighing pros and cons. Code has no cons. Overcode has some additional cost/work.

To be fair, I ran separate 10 gauge ground to all my 240 woodworking equipment. At the same time I didn't get the three-phase stuff because of the insane cost of bringing that to the house. When you get to three-phase stuff, this grounding issue is a lot more important.

This place is Half-assed Central, so getting someone to do even the bare minimum is a chore.

Ontario Electrical Safety Code requires, FWIW, that the ground wire gauge inside a conduit be at least the same size as the largest other non-ground wire. Running 8AWG to some equipment? Need at least 8AWG ground.

 

[effowe]

Actually to test you don't really need to open anything up, get an extension cord and plug it into a nearby outlet and bring it under the sink with you and then put one probe on the box of the disposal (one you showed) then the other probe into the hot terminal in the extension cord, it will be the smaller one, on the right. If you get a reading of 120 then it's a proper ground.

OK, I did as you said and got a reading of 120V. I was apprehensive about probing my outlets as I've never done that before, but it all worked out fine. Thanks for the tip!

 

[disappoint]

I'll agree with that when cost is no concern, after that it's always going to be about weighing pros and cons. Code has no cons. Overcode has some additional cost/work.

Anti-lock brakes and airbags have some additional cost/work as well. They were not required nor necessary for years. Same with GFCI outlets. People got along fine without those and even toilets for millennia. You don't really need those. You can crap in the woods just fine and still survive for a little while.

When lives are on the line cost takes a backseat. The same backseat that now contains airbags and seat belts that weren't originally required even when they were available.

Running 1 extra wire in the conduit doesn't cost nearly as much as those examples. We do it because we care, because we haven't lost our humanity from the pressure cooker of everyday life. At least some of us haven't.

To be fair, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you're one of those who haven't. I think that's a safe assumption to make.

The toilet example? Maybe that was going too far.

Oh no I've said too much. I set it up. That's me in the corner. Losing my religion. But not my humanity.