Should I do it or not ?. ?

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nafis

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Should I do it or not ?. ?

I have a customer wants to add some light fixture in hall way. Where there is existing can lights close by . Customer does not want sheet rock cut. At the same time wants to be able to switch both of them separately. My question is? Can I used the grounding conductor as common neutral after I wrap the exposed wire with tape for both and then the old grounded conductor (white ) as switch leg for my new fixture . The switches box in very critical position. Any suggestion to accomplish my customer desire will be greatly appreciated. Thanks folks
 
Not. I don't think that you'll find much support here for unsafe, flagrant violations.
 
Should I do it or not?

Should I do it or not?

NOT!!!!
NEVER tape up a ground and use it for something it is not designed for!!!!
I could tell you how to do this job but it would be to complicated to explain.
Seems to me you may not be qualified to to something like that. It takes years of experience to understand how to do some things. I do jobs like this all the time but again it is hard to explain.
You have to cut in another switch and new light box for the fixture but it can be done without damaging the sheet rock.
 
Try using a line carrier type switch from Leviton or Radio Shack. Can't think what they are called at the moment. CRS disease.

I have seen the egc used as you suggest but it really makes me want to put out a contract on those that do it.:grin: So I guess my answer is No.
 
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All of Creation thunders a resounding NO!


.
 
I hope you are joking. This violates too many sections of the NEC to even elaborate. The GROUNDING CONDUCTOR may NEVER be used as anything else. These circuits must be re-wired to allow seperate switching. Would you use the conduit as a neutral conductor? That would be the same thing as using the grounding conductor as a current carrying conductor.
 
nafis said:
I have a customer wants ....
Customer does not want ....
Click to expand...
In between want and does not want is compromise...


nafis said:
Any suggestion to accomplish my customer desire will be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

1 - mad money using all the snaking skills imaginable(maybe some light patching)
2 - surface raceway
3 - holes and patching
4 - walk away

Just because a customer desires something, it is in no way an appoval for a non-complant install when a solution ( 1 -3 ) is available.
 
nafis said:
Should I do it or not ?. ?

...My question is? Can I used the grounding conductor as common neutral after I wrap the exposed wire with tape for both and then the old grounded conductor (white ) as switch leg for my new fixture ... Any suggestion to accomplish my customer desire will be greatly appreciated. Thanks folks
Click to expand...

Nafis,
Thank you for bringing your question to the forum. You will find excellent advice from caring people here.

The first Electrical Contractor for whom i worked, as a young apprentice, told me to do the same thing. Sadly, i didn't know enough not to do it. :mad: :confused:
 
nafis said:
Should I do it or not ?. ?

I have a customer wants to add some light fixture in hall way. Where there is existing can lights close by . Customer does not want sheet rock cut. At the same time wants to be able to switch both of them separately. My question is? Can I used the grounding conductor as common neutral after I wrap the exposed wire with tape for both and then the old grounded conductor (white ) as switch leg for my new fixture . The switches box in very critical position. Any suggestion to accomplish my customer desire will be greatly appreciated. Thanks folks
Click to expand...

The answer is that you can certainly do this, and it will work fine. It is also a code violation, if that matters to you.
 
Not quite:

Not quite:

petersonra said:
The answer is that you can certainly do this, and it will work fine. It is also a code violation, if that matters to you.
Click to expand...

It will work, but since the EGC is typically of smaller gauge, the voltage drop will increase, and the EGC may overheat! OUCH!
 
rattus said:
It will work, but since the EGC is typically of smaller gauge, the voltage drop will increase, and the EGC may overheat! OUCH!
Click to expand...

The EGC is generally the same size as the CCC on virtually all indoor lighting circuits, as he has described it.
 
The EGC in the sheath of the romex is covered but not insulated for one thing. Then there is the problem of where you would get the equipment ground/bond conductor if you did such a thing. I hope you use this forum to demonsrate to your customer why this ASOLUTELY CANNOT BE DONE, and continue to educate yourself via this forum and other sources.

You gotta have a thick hide to ask that kind of question around here, I'll give you that much.
 
bkludecke said:
The EGC in the sheath of the romex is covered but not insulated for one thing. Then there is the problem of where you would get the equipment ground/bond conductor if you did such a thing. I hope you use this forum to demonsrate to your customer why this ASOLUTELY CANNOT BE DONE, and continue to educate yourself via this forum and other sources.

You gotta have a thick hide to ask that kind of question around here, I'll give you that much.
Click to expand...

I missed where he said it was romex. But, in any case, what he proposes to do is a bad idea.
 
I would be supprised that nobody makes this device yet. You can get energy savers (basically a diode) or flasher buttons that inserts into a light socket before the bulb is screwed in. Does someone make a similar device that is a switch with a little state memory so that the light only comes on half the time when power is applied?
 
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