grounded conductor in switch box

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Yes, the 2011 nec requires that every switch box shall have a grounded conductor with a few exceptions. Look at 404.2(C)
 
Have not looked at the 2011 NEC yet... If you ran power to the light fixture, then dropped down to a light switch. What is the purpose of the grounded conductor requirement at the switch box and what would you do with it besides just cap it off?? Sounds a little strange to me.
 
lefty08 said:
Have not looked at the 2011 NEC yet... If you ran power to the light fixture, then dropped down to a light switch. What is the purpose of the grounded conductor requirement at the switch box and what would you do with it besides just cap it off?? Sounds a little strange to me.
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Because there are switches that require a Grouned circuit conductor..
 
The issue is that UL has permitted the manufacturers of electronic switches to use the EGC as a grounded conductor. They permit each switch to put up to 0.5 mA of current on the EGC. The code does not permit the EGC to be used as the grounded conductor. UL said that they would revise their standard to prohibit using the EGC as the grounded conductor for these electronic switches only if the NEC was revised to require a grounded conductor at each switch box.
 
This section, IMO, needs to delete that exception as it makes no provisions for blocking in the walls or availability of that circuits neutral being accessible. I made a proposal to delete it a few months ago.
 
In my opinion if you have to drill through the top or bottom plate of the wall, then you do not meet the requirements of the exception.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
The issue is that UL has permitted the manufacturers of electronic switches to use the EGC as a grounded conductor. They permit each switch to put up to 0.5 mA of current on the EGC. The code does not permit the EGC to be used as the grounded conductor. UL said that they would revise their standard to prohibit using the EGC as the grounded conductor for these electronic switches only if the NEC was revised to require a grounded conductor at each switch box.
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wow, so that is what it takes to get rid of a problem. Can you imagine how much ground current a house in California can have these days if you add up all the ground currents from all the Mandatory required motion sensors.
It was ok to create unwanted ground currents as long as it was not required to install a nuetral at a switchbox.


WOw and WOW again.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
In my opinion if you have to drill through the top or bottom plate of the wall, then you do not meet the requirements of the exception.
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But it does say ceiling that is unfinished on one side. For what it's worth a Mike Holt graphic depicts attic access as meeting the exception in his 2011 code change book.
 
infinity said:
But it does say ceiling that is unfinished on one side. For what it's worth a Mike Holt graphic depicts attic access as meeting the exception in his 2011 code change book.
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On an interior wall attic access makes sense. Imagine on an exterior wall & the

pitch of the roof, next to impossible to get in a spot like that & drill down.
 
How about a switch in a bedroom used for outdoor security lighting? How about a door jam switch? It is hard enough to wire them as switch loops now, never mind an unused conductor jambed in with it!

What will the homeowners say when after you just wired their home a year ago and they go and buy a new occupancy sensor that has a white wire built in? That is right after they purchased a UL 2201 generator for use with their generator interlock kit you supplied?

Get some rags as we will wiping mud off our faces :mad:
 
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