Upgrading a Two-Prong Outlet With GFCI
Because a GFCI compares hot and neutral current rather than relying on a ground path, it can provide genuine shock protection even in a home with no equipment ground at all.
What this upgrade does and doesn't fix
It gives real shock protection where none existed before, and it lets you plug in a standard three-prong device into what was a two-prong outlet. What it does not do is provide an actual equipment ground path — some sensitive electronics or surge protectors expect a true ground and won't function at full protection without one.
Why the required label matters
The 'No Equipment Ground' label isn't optional paperwork — it's there specifically so future owners, inspectors, and electricians understand the outlet's actual wiring, since a three-prong outlet normally implies a ground path that, in this case, doesn't exist.