How to Ground Electrical Wires

Jun 24, 2025

Most of your home's receptacles should be grounded. If they're not, learn four different ways to add this safety feature.

If you have an older home, it’s important to know how to ground an outlet and what a ground wire is used for. Older homes may have outdated electrical systems and components that pose dangers.

Grounding is an important tool to protect against electric shock and electrocution. If there’s a short circuit or overload, the excess electricity moves from the grounding wire to the earth.

No matter the method, the ground circuit must provide an unbroken path to the earth. Ground wires must be firmly connected at all points. And if conduit or sheathing is used as a ground path, connections must be tight. If you're not sure if your outlets are grounded, a receptacle analyzer will tell you.

Here's what you need to know about how to ground electrical wires and stay safe.

We'll show you how to install grounding in outlets, fixtures, and switches. These tips will help you properly ground electrical wires to help keep your home safe.

Building codes have changed over the years and differ from region to region. As a result, grounding methods can vary widely. You may find any of several configurations in your home.

In a system with metal boxes, the pigtail method is considered the most secure. In this arrangement, both the receptacle and metal box are grounded. Ground wires are spliced together and attached with a pigtail to the box and receptacle. The grounding wire nut shown has a hole in its top that makes installing a pigtail easier.

Other methods also work well if installed correctly. One such method is a grounding clip that clamps the ground wire to the box. If a house is wired with armored cable or conduit, there often is no ground wire. The cable connector joins the metal sheathing or conduit to the box to provide the path for grounding.

Where plastic boxes are used, a ground wire typically connects to the receptacle only. Here, where wiring runs through this box to another box, a grounding pigtail connects to the device.

Many older ceiling fixtures are not grounded. Recent codes, however, call for grounding electrical wires in fixtures. To do so, connect the fixture's ground lead (usually a stranded wire) to the strap on a metal box or to a ground wire.

Most older switches are not grounded; many switches do not even have a ground screw. However, recent codes call for switches to be grounded. Replace an older switch with a newer one that has a ground screw and connect it to a ground wire.

A ground fault circuit interrupter monitors current flow and, to reduce the risk of an electrical shock, shuts off electricity if it notices a problem. Use them in damp locations such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. A licensed electrician can install a GFCI. Other options include a portable GFCI, which is typically used outdoors or with electric tools around the house.

If it’s been more than ten years since you’ve had a licensed electrician evaluate your system, it’s time for another inspection. Also, keep an eye out for signs of potential problems, such as circuit breakers that need frequent resetting and switch plates and outlet covers that feel hot to the touch.

“Understanding Your Home Electrical System.” Electrical Safety Foundation International.

“Plug Into Safety.” Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

“What Is a GFCI?” U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

“May Is National Electrical Safety Month.” U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.