Eddy Current
Senior Member
I was told that could doesn't require a ground for switches. I'm pretty sure the person that told me this is wrong, not only does it require a ground but the box also has to be grounded.
I agree, that person is wrong.I was told that could doesn't require a ground for switches. I'm pretty sure the person that told me this is wrong, not only does it require a ground but the box also has to be grounded.
Are you asking about the need for a bonding jumper between a grounded metal box and a switch? If so the code does not require one.
I was told that could doesn't require a ground for switches. I'm pretty sure the person that told me this is wrong, not only does it require a ground but the box also has to be grounded.
Knowing the difference in a grounded conductor (normally a neutral) and a grounding conductor can be the issue.
A light switch does not require a neutral but it is important to provide a grounding conductor. But terminating the ground wire to that green scew the grounding conductor provides a electrical path back to ground should the line conductor come into contact with the metal part of the switch resulting in tripping a breaker to preven a potential electric shock to anyone who may come into contact with the mounting screw of the switch.
I thought that until a few years ago I only had to ground a lite switch if I was using a metal cover? And now have to ground switch even with plastic cover, since it could later be changed to metal. Or did I dream this?
And so I thought the purpose of grounding the switch was mostly to ground the cover.
Agreed, the 2-6/32 screws are permitted to ground a switch with a metal box.
Are you asking about the need for a bonding jumper between a grounded metal box and a switch? If so the code does not require one.
Agreed, the 2-6/32 screws are permitted to ground a switch with a {grounded} metal box.
I was talking about both. As far as the grounding conductor i was told that you didn't have to have it run to a switch just hot and switch leg for a single pole switch. I have never done it that way i have always ran a ground wire to everything. Recently we have also had to bond the metal switch boxes with a ground pigtail so i thought it might be a new code.
Do 4 square junction boxes need to be bonded with a pigtail too?
As was stated earlier, the 2011 edition of the NEC now requires that a "Neutral" be carried to switch outlets.
As I understand it, this is because the NEC identified the problem of wiring speciality switches, that require Neutral to be present. Previous practice had installers of these switches using the Ground conductor as the connection point for the switch's Neutral.
Of course this creates a situation that has multiple Ground and Neutral connections points in a system instead of just the one at the Main Panel-board or Disconnect switch.
That is what I teach my students. Is that the correct information?
As was stated earlier, the 2011 edition of the NEC now requires that a "Neutral" be carried to switch outlets.
As I understand it, this is because the NEC identified the problem of wiring speciality switches, that require Neutral to be present. Previous practice had installers of these switches using the Ground conductor as the connection point for the switch's Neutral.
Of course this creates a situation that has multiple Ground and Neutral connections points in a system instead of just the one at the Main Panel-board or Disconnect switch.
That is what I teach my students. Is that the correct information?
Add text to read as follows:
404.2 Switch Connections
(C) Switches Controlling Lighting Loads. Where switches control lighting
loads supplied by a grounded general purpose branch circuit, a grounded circuit
conductor shall be provided at the switch location.
Exception: Grounded conductors shall not be required in installations where it
is possible to install conductors into the device boxes without damaging the
building structure or building finish.
RUPP, B.: Occupancy sensors are permitted by UL773A to have a current of
up to 0.5 ma on the grounding conductor. This is allowed because the operation
of an occupancy sensor requires a low level standby current. The standard
permits this current on the grounding conductor because in a typical installation
there is no grounded circuit conductor in the switch box which can be used as
the return conductor for the standby current. An occupancy sensor can be
installed in any switch location. It is impractical to expect the customer or
installer to anticipate all instances where an occupancy sensor will be installed.
Accepting this proposal will insure that a grounded conductor is available at all
switch locations which will allow occupancy sensors to use the grounded
conductor for conducting standby current instead of using the equipment
grounding conductor
I was talking about both. As far as the grounding conductor i was told that you didn't have to have it run to a switch just hot and switch leg for a single pole switch. I have never done it that way i have always ran a ground wire to everything. Recently we have also had to bond the metal switch boxes with a ground pigtail so i thought it might be a new code.
Do 4 square junction boxes need to be bonded with a pigtail too?