renosteinke
Senior Member
- Location
- NE Arkansas
So the 2011 will require the presence of a neutral at switches. I see two 'trickle down' effects to this.
The first is that someone is sure to start adding a 'dummy' screw for landing the neutral - and, before you know it, someone will be saying that you're required to use the dummy screw, or tie all the neutrals together, etc.
The second applies to those devices - illuminated switches, photocells, motion sensors, timers, etc. - that use the ground wire as their 'neutral.' (Keep in mind that only SOME do this - not all!). Someone is going to next want these devices to be 'banned,' and require a neutral terminal on them.
The second brings up the interesting wording of another code section, which bans "objectionable" current over the ground wire. This is the 'loophole' tht has allowed these devices to operate until now. I can't see it changing.
I can't see that changing, because I cannot find the words to write such a rule. You can't just say 'fault current only,' simply because you still need the ground to carry transients from some surge suppressors, frequency drives, and all manner of electronics. Besides, how would you prevent RF-induced currents without putting everything in pipe?
I start this thread because NOW is the time to start thinking this through - rather than be surprised in 2014 with another "done deal."
The first is that someone is sure to start adding a 'dummy' screw for landing the neutral - and, before you know it, someone will be saying that you're required to use the dummy screw, or tie all the neutrals together, etc.
The second applies to those devices - illuminated switches, photocells, motion sensors, timers, etc. - that use the ground wire as their 'neutral.' (Keep in mind that only SOME do this - not all!). Someone is going to next want these devices to be 'banned,' and require a neutral terminal on them.
The second brings up the interesting wording of another code section, which bans "objectionable" current over the ground wire. This is the 'loophole' tht has allowed these devices to operate until now. I can't see it changing.
I can't see that changing, because I cannot find the words to write such a rule. You can't just say 'fault current only,' simply because you still need the ground to carry transients from some surge suppressors, frequency drives, and all manner of electronics. Besides, how would you prevent RF-induced currents without putting everything in pipe?
I start this thread because NOW is the time to start thinking this through - rather than be surprised in 2014 with another "done deal."