EF Lighting control: Is this allowed?

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Stickoly

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Can an EF holder swap out existing light switches for switches for lighting control such as Lutron?
Is a permit supposed to be pulled if there is only a switch swap, such as a homeowner replacing a faulty switch in a home?
 
iwire said:
Might be because few of us know what an EF is.
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Since his profile says he's an "EF License Holder", my guess is he's referring to licensing, not a piece of equipment.

Exhaust Fan? Exposed Facility? Electron Flow? Excitation Frequency? Engineering Fundamentals? End Fitting? Elmer Fudd?
 
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EF License, per 'Google" for low voltage wiring only.

Stickoly, I do not know of any EC who has taken a permit out for changing

a switch.
 
EF is the Florida designation for Low Voltage with a fire/burglar alarm endorsement. It is the next step down from an EC.
We do Quite a bit of Home theater, Alarm installation, Phone, cable, etc. We are presented frequent opportunities to do lighting control, which would require installing Lutron replacement switches in place of a standard light switch.
 
I don't know all the laws down there in FL, but I say no. The laws should be on the Florida DBPR website. Or, just call the building dept; they should know.


From the FL website:
EF - An "alarm system contractor I" means an alarm system contractor whose business includes all types of alarm systems for all purposes.

In general an "alarm system contractor" means a person whose business includes the execution of contracts requiring the experience and skill to lay out, fabricate, install, maintain, alter, repair, monitor, inspect, replace, or service any electrical device, signaling device, or combination of electrical devices used to signal or detect a burglary, fire, robbery, or medical emergency.
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I don't see anything about lighting control in there. You may want to look into an ES license. From reading the quote above, I'm not so sure your license allows you to even do home theater work.
 
I have seen "low voltage" license holders change out switch's to "addressable switch's" and it was not good. If you don't have a strong understanding of how houses are wired and why there is not a neutral in the switch box (many times) you may be creating a hazard just trying to get the controller to work.
The guys I saw do this were getting neutrals, for their switch's, from circuits other then the ones the were getting power from. In most cases from other outlet boxes, via long drill bits, and then just pulling in a single THHN through the wall cavity. I am not implying that you can't do this work properly, just there is a "cause and effect" that can be dangerous to others who come in behind this type of scenario.
 
Stickoly said:
Can an EF holder swap out existing light switches for switches for lighting control such as Lutron?
Is a permit supposed to be pulled if there is only a switch swap, such as a homeowner replacing a faulty switch in a home?
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I am going to go with a no on that one
 
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