Improper Grounding Question - Outlet Receptacle

[bbunce29]

I'm trying to replace an outlet receptacle in my house. The home was built in 2001 and we have never replaced any receptacles. I realized after undoing the box (power was shut off and tested a low voltage but no issue) that there were two copper grounding wires wrapped around a screw in the back of the metal box behind the outlet receptacle. There was no grounding wire attached to the outlet receptacle at all.

Is it possible that one of the wires on the screw in the back of the metal box should be taken off and attached to the green grounding screw on the new outlet receptacle? I was reading that a screw terminal should NEVER have two wires attached. This is a basic, 15V receptacle (NOT GFCI) in a bedroom. I know of at least one other outlet that is wired this way in the home.

I just want to do this properly and I don't want to have to call an electrician for a beginner-level home repair. Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[James]

I'm trying to replace an outlet receptacle in my house. The home was built in 2001 and we have never replaced any receptacles. I realized after undoing the box (power was shut off and tested a low voltage but no issue) that there were two copper grounding wires wrapped around a screw in the back of the metal box behind the outlet receptacle. There was no grounding wire attached to the outlet receptacle at all.

Is it possible that one of the wires on the screw in the back of the metal box should be taken off and attached to the green grounding screw on the new outlet receptacle? I was reading that a screw terminal should NEVER have two wires attached. This is a basic, 15V receptacle (NOT GFCI) in a bedroom. I know of at least one other outlet that is wired this way in the home.

I just want to do this properly and I don't want to have to call an electrician for a beginner-level home repair. Thanks in advance for any advice!

@Megawatt is a us based electrician.
hopefully he will be able to give you some good advice.

p.s. he has been notified that he has been mentioned in the thread.

 

[Jock from the north]

I'm trying to replace an outlet receptacle in my house. The home was built in 2001 and we have never replaced any receptacles. I realized after undoing the box (power was shut off and tested a low voltage but no issue) that there were two copper grounding wires wrapped around a screw in the back of the metal box behind the outlet receptacle. There was no grounding wire attached to the outlet receptacle at all.

Is it possible that one of the wires on the screw in the back of the metal box should be taken off and attached to the green grounding screw on the new outlet receptacle? I was reading that a screw terminal should NEVER have two wires attached. This is a basic, 15V receptacle (NOT GFCI) in a bedroom. I know of at least one other outlet that is wired this way in the home.

I just want to do this properly and I don't want to have to call an electrician for a beginner-level home repair. Thanks in advance for any advice!

PLEASE IGNORE I THOUGHT YOU WERE BASED IN UK ,PLEASE DONT PAY ANY ATTENTION TO FOLLOWING ADVICEits quite commen for ground or earth wires to be attached to the back of a metel back box but usually there will be a third wire comming from back of box to feed earth socket or light switch.normally they wouldn't be wrapped round a screw but in the terminal provided in metal back box, normally in top or bottom corner.your socket will still be grounded /earthed due to the face plate screws which are making contact with back box.ideally remove earth wires from back of box and connect them straight into socket.if your confident enough and there is a proper earth terminal on box take a single earth from there back into socket so you have 3 earth wires at socket and 1 in back box.really as long as you have 1 fixed lug on metel box I wouldnt worry about earthing back of box as face plate screw does this for you although it is good practice as. When the socket is unscrewed from wall metal back box isn't earthed /grounded.
Sorry I don't quite understand the 15 volt receptacle part .is it something that is extra low voltage or is it a socket outlet
Sorry please ignore everything I just wrote I've just thought you were based in uk but using American descriptions .I don't know any codes of practice in North America so please don't follow my advice
Sorry