Just for the record, the NEC, 2005 edition, section 250.130 allows you to run a grounding wire from any receptacle to the grounding/neutral buss in the main breaker panel or to earthed electrode grid. Use the method applicable to your residence. You are not required to run a new circuit. You can read the code on line free of charge: Use the link on bottom of post or copy/ paste this link. http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=860&itemID=21227&URL=Publications/necdigest/Review%20the%20NEC®%20online Click on "Visitors have online access to the 2005 National Electrical Code®." Click on "I agree" Click on "Open National Electrical Code® Softbound 2005 Edition (NFPA 70) " Then wait 10-20 secs to make sure the index file opens (You may not know when it opens). Then on the bottom of the cover page... Click on the icon to the right of the page change arrows. This is the index icon. Click on the index entry to go directly to the page or the slow way by using the page change arrows. Here is a link that might be useful: NEC

Hi Normel, You mentioned the grounding electrode rod at the panel for grounding circuits. Couldn't you have a similar rod with grounding wire "dedicated" to a specific (previously ungrounded) receptacle on the opposite side of the exterior wall (hope that makes sense!)? My brother has a ham radio set-up which, although connected to a grounded plug, has an additonal ground for the antenna. It's basically a metal rod hammered into the ground with a clamped on wire that's routed the 6' or so across a bit of patio into his room. I'm picturing the same thing (or something similar) to ground an outlet on an exterior wall. I'm looking more at functionality rather than code at the moment. Our concern right now is not the home's resale value, but more just protecting our computer equipment without having to rewire a bunch of stuff. There are really only 2 new outlets (one in each of two bedrooms) we need to ground in the house. As I mentioned previously, most of the other outlets are grounded and we can live with the other ungrounded ones. Thanks for any thoughts! Anne

Thanks for the fast responses! Unfortunately, the cable feeding the switch is old as well. I considered adding an entirely new circuit to supply my new lights but my main problem is i cannot access the old cables that i would be abondoning. If I abandon the current setup...im assuming i would just have to terminate the cable in the attic in a junction box...not a big deal. But i would also have to put a cover plate over the existing wall switch? Im not thrilled about that idea. And if i ran new romex i could not feed the new cable to a place that is relatively close to the old switch which is important to my wife. Guess, that is why i was hoping to somehow just ground the existing set up.

The fuse/circuit box would have to be grounded. The problem is the individual branch circuits are not likely grounded (either in the wiring or the receptacles). The problem is not surge (and depending on the surge protector it may not work well without a ground either). Grounds on the branch circuits were provided to give a low impedance path (essentially no normal currents are supposed to be on these wires) to allow the breaker to open quickly in a fault situation. It's mostly an occupant safety thing. Appliances with two wire plugs are determined to be safe enough as they are. The ones with three wire plugs use the ground internally (for example to protect exposed metal). The one thing you should not do is use one of those three prong to two prong adapters with these things. One way to get around the lack of grounds is to install a GFCI. While this doesn't provide a ground, it accomplishes one of the reasons the ground is there in the first place. It senses current on the two wires and detects if there is an imbalance meaning the current is going someplace unexpected and then trips and opens the circuit. This is the only approved way to plug in an grounded (three prong) device to an ungrounded circuit. There may be other issues with older house wiring other than just the lack of grounds. You may wish to have a competent electrician who deals with older houses come and take a look at things for you.