MC cable, ground for neutral

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T-Stripes

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Chimacum,WA, Jefferson
I am working with the system installed by general contractor about seven years ago in a house that is completely finished. He used all MC cable and did many things wrong. I am dealing with some three-way switches that have been wired with two wire MC cable.
My question is, considering the ground is coming to a particular metal box through the power line, rather than tearing open the walls to replace the two wire MC cable, would it be SAFE to use the ground as the neutral, converting the two wire to a three wire? This three-way was working for a while until I had this building permitted by installing arc fault breakers. Now this three-way system will trip the arc fault.
I know better than to do this, as an electrical contractor, so my question is: is it safe? Is there something that I have not thought of, that makes this unsafe?

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If you don't want to snake and punch hole in ceilings and walls? Try the Lutron Caseta dimmer with the Pico wireless remote this may be your best option.
It's up to you now to end the "Mickey Mouse wiring". :)
 
Thanks, both of you. Good idea to go higher tech. I'll work that option. Sticking with code is my first priority, which is why I posted the question.
Cheers.

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the Lutron casseta pico is your best easy solution but I dont know if is code but some inspectors require that the battery for battery operated devices to be10 years warranty batteries specially is they are used in a room with 2 entry points where 3 way switches are required.I just installed wireless interconnected smoke alarms in a house and the inspector required 10 years warranty batteries wich they were.and No is not safe to use your ground conductor as neutral besides is a violation 250.24(A)5
 
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T-Stripes said:
I am working with the system installed by general contractor about seven years ago in a house that is completely finished. He used all MC cable and did many things wrong. I am dealing with some three-way switches that have been wired with two wire MC cable.
My question is, considering the ground is coming to a particular metal box through the power line, rather than tearing open the walls to replace the two wire MC cable, would it be SAFE to use the ground as the neutral, converting the two wire to a three wire? This three-way was working for a while until I had this building permitted by installing arc fault breakers. Now this three-way system will trip the arc fault.
I know better than to do this, as an electrical contractor, so my question is: is it safe? Is there something that I have not thought of, that makes this unsafe?

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
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Sound like you have numerous violations to take care of- some which sound bad. I know you won't like my answer, but do it right or don't do it at all. There is no point in perpetuating someone else's mistakes.
 
Thanks guys. In fact I'm chagrined that I even considered the question. I should have thought of the wireless sw myself, especially since I've just worked with a customer to install a set. Brain overload, brain fade. I work hard to bring improper situations to right and it's frustrating to be faced with a cascade of small mistakes (like standard twin-screw connectors instead of MC type, anti-shorts popping out, boxes assumed grounded through the flex-lite jacket, etc). I'll use some non-standard fixes to make safe since customer can't pay for proper replacement, but no ground-for-neutral. I wish I'd never asked.

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T-Stripes said:
I am working with the system installed by general contractor about seven years ago in a house that is completely finished. He used all MC cable and did many things wrong. I am dealing with some three-way switches that have been wired with two wire MC cable.
My question is, considering the ground is coming to a particular metal box through the power line, rather than tearing open the walls to replace the two wire MC cable, would it be SAFE to use the ground as the neutral, converting the two wire to a three wire? This three-way was working for a while until I had this building permitted by installing arc fault breakers. Now this three-way system will trip the arc fault.
I know better than to do this, as an electrical contractor, so my question is: is it safe? Is there something that I have not thought of, that makes this unsafe?

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I

It is not safe, try another method.
 
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