#14 switch legs on 20A OCP

[electricmanscott]

Actually, I CAN understand why some electricians might think this was ok to do but in my area they would have to be about 75 years old at least In houses around here built up to the 1950s or 1960s, lighting circuits were run from 4" round to 4" round, with switches dropped out of each 4" round box. It was pretty much a given that the load on the switch leg was never going to be larger than a two lamp fixture. A single 20A circuit would handle the lighting load of most of the house, and #14 for the switch legs (loops) would save money without creating a hazard (back then...). Nowadays in resi we wire the feed to the switch which makes it possible to fully load a lighting circuit on one switch so it would be very bad practice to feed a switch with #12 and then feed the lighting with #14. But if someone works in an area where running the feeds to the ceiling boxes is still done, they probably wouldn't see any danger in using a #14 switch leg.

This is the strangest explanation I have ever seen.

 

[Article 90.1]

PetrosA, you are describing a "switch loop." A switch leg has a neutral, but only the CCC is switched.

 

[mivey]

We call them switch legs too.

 

[480sparky]

PetrosA, you are describing a "switch loop." A switch leg has a neutral, but only the CCC is switched.

"only the CCC is switched"????? You mean only the ungrounded is switched. The neutral is still a CCC.

 

[augie47]

The "loop" is called a "switch leg" around here too. I recognize what PetrosA is saying in that the practice here, when "allowed" dates back many years ago when "switch legs" normally controlled a single ceiling luminarie, 60 to 180 watts.

 

[LarryFine]

But if someone works in an area where running the feeds to the ceiling boxes is still done, they probably wouldn't see any danger in using a #14 switch leg.

Of course, they'd still be wrong.


Can I vote again?

 

[PetrosA]

This is the strangest explanation I have ever seen.

We aim to please I still think an old-timer's argument as to the safety of it would be valid though. Could it be proven that it's any less safe (in this specific context) than a fixture-mounted pull chain switch with 18 or 16 AWG leads?

PetrosA, you are describing a "switch loop." A switch leg has a neutral, but only the CCC is switched.

This thread is the first time I've heard the loop term. I'm glad to have heard it, since there is a huge difference between the two that in this region goes unnamed.

Of course, they'd still be wrong.

I agree

 

[iMuse97]

This is the strangest explanation I have ever seen.

...because you aren't anywhere near 75 years old??? be glad. BTW, I worked for a guy who was nearly half that age, and he still felt that 14 AWG would do for any switch leg. Got to the point where I ignored his wishes (on that).

 

[iMuse97]

What's wrong with running the feed to the light?

Nothing. Except if you're no-brain helper wires something incorrectly, you've got to remove the fixture to work on it.

I always do as little work as I can in the ceiling (in resi. work) because I'd rather stand in front of a 4 gang box to fix something than to remove a fan or chandelier and fix it.

And again, BTW, I can't believe this thread is still going. I voted weeks ago, it seems (and am on record with "not allowed").

 

[e57]

Nothing. Except if you're no-brain helper wires something incorrectly, you've got to remove the fixture to work on it.

I always do as little work as I can in the ceiling (in resi. work) because I'd rather stand in front of a 4 gang box to fix something than to remove a fan or chandelier and fix it.

And again, BTW, I can't believe this thread is still going. I voted weeks ago, it seems (and am on record with "not allowed").

I aggree - on all three counts...

 

[electricmanscott]

This had been going for so long I think we're heading into a new election cycle.

Maybe this time I'll vote for the opposition.

 

[Power Tech]

This had been going for so long I think we're heading into a new election cycle.

Maybe this time I'll vote for the opposition.

There is no more opposition. They are all in cahoots.

Ever since I was a kid, people have been cheating to win.

The EC's using 14 for a SL are most likely cheaters.

Track the rest of there lives, they probably butt in line and brag about it.

It's either that or there is something is mentally wrong with them.

That would explain them being electricians.

 

[LarryFine]

Track the rest of there lives, they probably butt in line and brag about it.

It's either that or there is something is mentally wrong with them.

That would explain them being electricians.

I resent that remark!




(I don't brag about it when I butt. )

(Plus, it could be mental anyway. )

 

[kacper]

I read every single comment, you people are awesome.

 

[LarryFine]

I read every single comment, you people are awesome.

So are you for doing that.

 

[acrwc10]

Oh not again, lord help us :grin:
I always love the "I've been doing it this way for XX years and never had a problem." It is right up there with "What if ".