Existing light switches

[Captorofsin1]

Hello everybody. Fully wear wear with new construction and remodels that NEC does require that all light switches be grounded.

My question is there anywhere in code that mandates that if I remove and replace a light switch I have to ground it?

Little bit of an embarrassment factor. I've looked and looked and looked and looked and cannot find anything on this subject. Maybe I wasn't looking in the right places .

 

[Little Bill]

If you're talking about having an actual EGC (ground) in the box, then if there is not one there, then you don't have to bring one to it. If there is, then you have to land it on the ground terminal/screw of the switch.

 

[Captorofsin1]

Done that before. So if I'm removing and replacing a light switch and it's not grounded but there are grounds twisted together, capped off, and pushed to the back of the box I have to pull off of those grounds, right?

 

[roger]

I'm not offering an answer but the grounding switch requirement was put into code when the CMP was bored and was looking for something to waste time and material on. If the existing does not have an EGC personally I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[norcal]

While I am well aware of what is said about opinions, I am asking about switch replacement with existing grounded metal boxes, would you find & connect the ECG from a existing box installed prior to the requirement to connect a EGC to each switch, with NM cable as the wiring method?

 

[Little Bill]

Done that before. So if I'm removing and replacing a light switch and it's not grounded but there are grounds twisted together, capped off, and pushed to the back of the box I have to pull off of those grounds, right?

Per code, yes.

 

[hbiss]

I am asking about switch replacement with existing grounded metal boxes, would you find & connect the ECG from a existing box installed prior to the requirement to connect a EGC to each switch, with NM cable as the wiring method?

New switches are self grounding through a mounting screw to the grounded metal box. No additional ground needed.

-Hal

 

[letgomywago]

New switches are self grounding through a mounting screw to the grounded metal box. No additional ground needed.

-Hal

But that only applies if the box is metallic and there's a good chunk of 80s installs with NM boxes and short short grounds.

I happen to know that some people skip those when replacing a switch if it's hard to get at cough cough

 

[LarryFine]

I also weigh the location relative to nearby grounded surfaces.

 

[infinity]

Yes the switch is required to be grounded. Metal boxes only require the two 6/32 screws to be connected to the box. If the box is plastic then connection to the EGC is required.

 

[letgomywago]

I also weigh the location relative to nearby grounded surfaces.

Hence my cough

 

[hbiss]

But that only applies if the box is metallic

OP said that the box was metallic...

-Hal

 

[CoolWill]

Your average residential grade switch is not of the self-grounding type.

 

[infinity]

Your average residential grade switch is not of the self-grounding type.

Is it required to be?

 

[CoolWill]

Is it required to be?

No.

 

[infinity]

Your average residential grade switch is not of the self-grounding type.

Is it required to be?

No.

So what was your point? Are you saying that they should be self-grounding?

 

[CoolWill]

So what was your point? Are you saying that they should be self-grounding?

No. I was replying to hbiss from post #7. I should have quoted him, but that's all behind us now.

 

[wwhitney]

OP said that the box was metallic...

I'm seeing no such information.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[LarryFine]

While standard screws are not adequate for bonding receptacles, they are for switches.

 

[letgomywago]

While standard screws are not adequate for bonding receptacles, they are for switches.

There's a Mike holt picture from like 2008 that showed this do you happen to have it or does someone else so it can be added to the forum for people looking back