grounded conductor in switch box
- Thread starter 09387078
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Yes, the 2011 nec requires that every switch box shall have a grounded conductor with a few exceptions. Look at 404.2(C)
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
See 404.2(C) in the 2011 code.
Because there are switches that require a Grouned circuit conductor..
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
The issue is that UL has permitted the manufacturers of electronic switches to use the EGC as a grounded conductor. They permit each switch to put up to 0.5 mA of current on the EGC. The code does not permit the EGC to be used as the grounded conductor. UL said that they would revise their standard to prohibit using the EGC as the grounded conductor for these electronic switches only if the NEC was revised to require a grounded conductor at each switch box.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
Does an attic above this switch meet the intent of the exception?
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
At one time I would have said no but if you read art. 404.2(C) it says in the exception if "thru walls, floor or ceiling that is unfinished on one side."
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
This section, IMO, needs to delete that exception as it makes no provisions for blocking in the walls or availability of that circuits neutral being accessible. I made a proposal to delete it a few months ago.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
In my opinion if you have to drill through the top or bottom plate of the wall, then you do not meet the requirements of the exception.
romex jockey101
Member
so how would you run a switchloop then you would have to run a 3 wire assemble to the sitchbox after you hit the lightbox
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
I think that section can be read either way but it still doesn't deal with accessibility.
Sierrasparky
Senior Member
- Location
- USA
- Occupation
- Electrician ,contractor
wow, so that is what it takes to get rid of a problem. Can you imagine how much ground current a house in California can have these days if you add up all the ground currents from all the Mandatory required motion sensors.
It was ok to create unwanted ground currents as long as it was not required to install a nuetral at a switchbox.
WOw and WOW again.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
But it does say ceiling that is unfinished on one side. For what it's worth a Mike Holt graphic depicts attic access as meeting the exception in his 2011 code change book.
John120/240
Senior Member
- Location
- Olathe, Kansas
On an interior wall attic access makes sense. Imagine on an exterior wall & the
pitch of the roof, next to impossible to get in a spot like that & drill down.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
This only applies if and when your locality officially adopts the '11 NEC.
volt101
Senior Member
- Location
- New Hampshire
How about a switch in a bedroom used for outdoor security lighting? How about a door jam switch? It is hard enough to wire them as switch loops now, never mind an unused conductor jambed in with it!
What will the homeowners say when after you just wired their home a year ago and they go and buy a new occupancy sensor that has a white wire built in? That is right after they purchased a UL 2201 generator for use with their generator interlock kit you supplied?
Get some rags as we will wiping mud off our faces
What will the homeowners say when after you just wired their home a year ago and they go and buy a new occupancy sensor that has a white wire built in? That is right after they purchased a UL 2201 generator for use with their generator interlock kit you supplied?
Get some rags as we will wiping mud off our faces
- Status