Do I need to have isolated ground on IG receptacle?
htnovice
Posts: 3
I am mounting a new LCD HDTV on the wall, and don't want to have the power cord running down the wall to an existing outlet. Therefore, I purchased a Leviton Recessed Entertainment Box and ran 14/2 romex from an existing outlet on the same wall and used one of the openings in the box for an electrical outlet. I am not conerned with putting things on a separate circuit... just don't want the wires showing.
Then I realized that I would have to figure out how to have a surge suppressor for the TV, once again, without have to run wires down the wall. After doing some research, I decided to use a
Leviton 7280 surge suppressor receptacle. They seemed to cost about $40-$50, which isn't TOO bad.
Then I found them on sale for only $14.50 here, and when I called up to confirm my intended use of the receptacle, the person I spoke to recommended I get the model with the "isolated ground", even if I wasn't going to run a separate isolated ground to the box.
Is it okay to do this? Does it matter if I install a receptacle that supports an isolated ground, but then don't actually connect an isolated ground to that receptacle?
Any thoughts or guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Then I realized that I would have to figure out how to have a surge suppressor for the TV, once again, without have to run wires down the wall. After doing some research, I decided to use a
Leviton 7280 surge suppressor receptacle. They seemed to cost about $40-$50, which isn't TOO bad.
Then I found them on sale for only $14.50 here, and when I called up to confirm my intended use of the receptacle, the person I spoke to recommended I get the model with the "isolated ground", even if I wasn't going to run a separate isolated ground to the box.
Is it okay to do this? Does it matter if I install a receptacle that supports an isolated ground, but then don't actually connect an isolated ground to that receptacle?
Any thoughts or guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Post edited by htnovice on
Comments
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Hi Lasareath... thanks for the quick reply. This does indeed look like the best thing to install, however, it is way out of my budget. I figure that the surge suppressor is better than nothing.
Going back to my original question... "Does it matter if I install a receptacle that supports an isolated ground, but then don't actually connect an isolated ground to that receptacle?" -
The receptacle will be grounded using a "common ground" as opposed to an "isolated ground". A "common ground" is what is typically used for all standard receptacles in a house. This particular outlet (the Leviton 7280-IG) is a receptacle with a surge protector built into it (although without a power conditioner), and it supports a "isolated ground", but I will be connecting a "common ground" to it.
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The receptacle will be grounded using a "common ground" as opposed to an "isolated ground". A "common ground" is what is typically used for all standard receptacles in a house. This particular outlet (the Leviton 7280-IG) is a receptacle with a surge protector built into it (although without a power conditioner), and it supports a "isolated ground", but I will be connecting a "common ground" to it.
This comes from a little knowledge I had 30 some years ago, so.... On an isolated ground receptacle I think you would be ok. Your ground will just be subjected to possible noise from other items sharing the common ground. If I am not wrong, a standard receptacle has the ground lug and the metal body of the receptacle tied together, so if you are using a metal box that also is grounded. The isolated ground lug does not have this mechanical link to the body/housing (for keeping it isolated if conduit is used) and the ground wire for this would stay separate from all other grounds until it is connected to the grounding point, which I believe now is ok to be the ground buss, but at one time had to be separate all the way to a water pipe or ground rod connection. For safety reasons I do think if you use it this way, you should also make sure the body/housing is also tied into this. If this was installed with the isolated ground there would be a second ground to take care of this.
But the "surge protector" feature makes me wonder if doing this could reduce the effectiveness of the surge protector and/or become a safety concern. As others have said I would consult an electrician, WHICH I AM NOT, or try an email/call to a Leviton CS rep. Here -
The surge suppressor is an excellent idea. An IG receptacle is not meant to be used with a common ground. It's meant to have an ISOLATED GROUND, a seperate ground wire going to the house panel and/or water main ground. I would use a regular recepacle. Your grounded and your TV is protected!
