Porcelain Socket Rewiring

[catchin'whopper]

I saw that mower question and i figured i could add this on the forum. I am rewiring a lamp out side that is near the boat. I want to use it to work on it in the evening hours and saw that the porcelain socket was busted.

I went to replace it not recognizing the ground setup (if there was one) on the old busted one.

My quesiton on the new one I put in, does it need to be grounded? There were 3 wires running up the lamp post, but for the life of me I can not remember if the old one was grounded. The new porcelain socket does not have a green grounding screw on it but there is a potential screw hole there, however, connected to that there is no metal plate that it would run into in essence creating a good ground?

I guess I am wondering if I need to have this grounded or not, is it necessary? Thanks for any responses.

-Catchin'

[This message has been edited by catchin'whopper (edited 06-26-2003).]

[Dave]

I'm sure I saw the plastic light sockets with an outlet included at Menards. The same may be available in the ceramic style. Those light socket only style are not grounded but, if it has an outlet, you should use a ground. If you do use a socket that has an outlet, I would consider adding a GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) also. I think having an outside outlet without a GFI is a no no.

[This message has been edited by Dave (edited 06-26-2003).]

[catchin'whopper]

Thanks Dave for the response. The lamppost is wired to the house, thus there is no outlet that would require the GFI. I already have the porcelain/ceramic wired to the fixture but could easily undo it. do you feel it would still be needed to be grounded? Thanks for the response.

Catchin'

[Dave]

The ceramic light sockets in my house are not grounded so I would think you're ok.

[catchin'whopper]

Thank you for the response Dave. i have been looking around the web for additional information but have yet to find anything definitive. I will probably go forward with your comment and my intuition, unless someone knows anything else? Thanks in advance.

Catchin'

[pulsar_nx]

ceramic light sockets are not grounded because they are ceramic not metal. However if the box that you are installing this into is metal attach the grount wire to that.

[catchin'whopper]

Thanks Pulsar for the additional information. there is no box this is going into, it is just for a lamppost so i don't think it would happen. i think it should be fine now, thanks, these forums can be so handy!

catchin'

[chunkytrout]

Uhm, you say three wires running up the post. What type of lamp? HID, MH, HPS? Alot of those lamps are 240. Just make sure you aren't sending a hot leg to ground!

[catchin'whopper]

what type i am not all together sure as you put it that way. all i can say is the lamppost is potentially 20 years old? Chunky trout, any idea how i should check what you are mentioning? thanks.

catchin'