Grounding An Old Appliance

[SkunkedAgain]

I've got an old 1950s freezer in my basement. It works great but does not have a grounded connection to the outlet (two-pronged plug). What is the best way to ground such an appliance? Can I run a grounding strap up to one of the copper pipes in the ceiling or should I somehow replace the plug?

[LightningBG]

probably easier to just replace the plug.

[delcecchi]

Probably have to replace the whole power cord with a three wire cord. That is the cleanest way.

Is there some reason, other than general principles, that you think it needs a safety ground?

[SkunkedAgain]

Nope just general. We have a very dry basement and haven't had any problems with water near the freezer (or anywhere), but it's next to the washer/dryer and between the water main and drain. Grounding the freezer is at the bottom of my list of things to do, but wanted to see what my options are - besides replacing the unit.

This is a giant 1950s International Harvester so hopefully there is a panel where I can access the power because I'm not going to be able to tip this beast over...

[JohnMickish]

Yep, just replace the cord with a three wire cord and attach the green wire to the metal frame of the fridge. Good call on replacing the old cord. If can't get to the back and you still want to ground it, yes, a ground wire that is attached to a cold water pipe and attached to the fridge will do the same, just not as good looking but still a great safety call.

[Redlantern]

Be sure to jumper the water meter. Hate to see someone changing the meter get a surprise.

[delcecchi]

Good point. I wouldn't have thought of that. I just went and looked, and sure thing, there is a big old copper wire across the meter. I never noticed that before.

[CAMAN]

Be sure to jumper the water meter. Hate to see someone changing the meter get a surprise.

After killing a few water-meter changers, I'm sure it's standard protocol now to check for a jumper. Though its always a good idea to have a jumper installed no matter what.

[delcecchi]

Besides, it isn't obvious that the water meter is made of a conductive material. It is some sort of gray stuff that could be plastic, looking at it from a few feet away.

[JohnMickish]

After killing a few water-meter changers, I'm sure it's standard protocol now to check for a jumper. Though its always a good idea to have a jumper installed no matter what.

Putting a bonding jumper around the water meter has been in the electrical code for as long as I can remember. It's no secret that it's supposed to be there.

[Redlantern]

Yep, from my understanding, it's supposed to be there. When I was an apprentice changing water meters I found a lot that weren't. We carried a set of jumper cables just for that reason.

[Tom7227]

I'm sort of wondering why you want to try and keep that old freezer running. I would guess that it's a real energy hog. Maybe it's time for an upgrade. Just a thought,

[CAMAN]

I'm sort of wondering why you want to try and keep that old freezer running. I would guess that it's a real energy hog. Maybe it's time for an upgrade. Just a thought,

I was thinking the same thing also... I'd imagine, depending on how inefficient it is, a new energy saving unit could possibly pay for itself in a year or two. Great deals can be found at the scratch n dent places like Appliance Smart.

[SkunkedAgain]

My electric bill is very small and I keep that thing loaded to the gills with ice, so it's not working tremendously hard. Plus you don't see appliances like this too often and we like it. So therefore the only thing that it needs is a little more safety.