[Heathkit] Gadzooks, when is a ground a ground?

[John Hensley]

Can anyone explain when a ground is a ground?  I have an available 60A 220V line but there is no ground.  The shield on the cable is being used as the neutral.  This is an old house (1956 construction).

Is it sufficient to hammer in a good earth ground and use it as the ground or should I have the heavy cable line (expensive!) rerun with 3 conductors and a shield?

Another way of asking:  what test procedure could be used to check and verify a ground is a ground ?????  As I understand it, a surge protector is rather useless unless a true ground is present.

TIA, John W5JV
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