Switch on arc-fault

Status
Not open for further replies.
G

george t. everett

Senior Member
Location
New York
Does a switch in a bed room that controls a remote flood light have to be on the arc-fault circuit? Some inspectors say that a switch is not an outlet, therefore does not have to be on the arc-fault circuit.
 
Re: Switch on arc-fault

There has been quite a bit of discussion on this question lately. The majority I believe (including me) agree that it would not. Can someone post a link to the poll? ;)
 
Re: Switch on arc-fault

I had a installation just like that. Before I did it I asked the inspector and he said it had to be arc faulted. So I did. I would suppose a switch could be a outlet?
 
Re: Switch on arc-fault

Mr. Everett, you have no idea what you in your innocence have missed. :)

At least, if you ask 75% of the people polled. :D
 
Re: Switch on arc-fault

Originally posted by george t. everett:
Does a switch in a bed room that controls a remote flood light have to be on the arc-fault circuit? Some inspectors say that a switch is not an outlet, therefore does not have to be on the arc-fault circuit.
Click to expand...
Isn't this where we came in?
 
Re: Switch on arc-fault

i just got nailed not to long ago for this. can in the master bath, switch in the hallway outside it (master bedroom). i fed it off the master bath lighting circuit. failed... personally im sick of arguing this topic with people at my shop and inspectors. i just wire the damn things on an arc fault circuit and be done with it. frankly most of the time its more inconvienient to NOT put it on an arc fault.

yes, i know, i am weak...
 
Re: Switch on arc-fault

Originally posted by PlnOldRick:
i just wire the damn things on an arc fault circuit and be done with it. frankly most of the time its more inconvienient to NOT put it on an arc fault.
Click to expand...
Amen! :)
 
Re: Switch on arc-fault

i just got nailed not to long ago for this. can in the master bath, switch in the hallway outside it (master bedroom). i fed it off the master bath lighting circuit. failed...
Click to expand...
Failed for what violation? Your inspector needs to learn the definition of an outlet.
 
Re: Switch on arc-fault

I never did get a response to the condition of a lighted switch. I would say that it is an outlet.

Mark
 
Re: Switch on arc-fault

I asked that same thing but in the heat of a HUGE thread it was so lost.So I think at that point it is utilizing electricity not for what it is switching but for the lighted switch itself ;)
 
Re: Switch on arc-fault

Originally posted by busman:
I never did get a response to the condition of a lighted switch. I would say that it is an outlet.
Click to expand...
Do we really want to go down this road again? :D
 
Re: Switch on arc-fault

As i recall we never finished going down that road.We came to a fork in the road and it died.
A light is a load so i must call it an outlet even if part of a switch.
 
Re: Switch on arc-fault

Originally posted by iwire:
Originally posted by busman:
I never did get a response to the condition of a lighted switch. I would say that it is an outlet.
Click to expand...
Do we really want to go down this road again? :D
Click to expand...
No we don't. :D

Once we take a switch in it's pure form and start adding lights, bells,and whistles too it, of course it changes how it may be looked at or treated in its installation or wiring.

Roger
 
Re: Switch on arc-fault

Jim all the bells and whistles that may get added to a switch does change it`s status.Just as if we purchase a stripped down bare to the bone model of an automobile then add this package and that package.Soon we have a switch that directed current flow but did not utilize it ,to a switch that used power at the point where it directed the same said power.#1 directs only #2 directs and also utilizes it.So its status changed from a basic stripped down model to a full fledged custom model.
Basic switch , full fledged custom switch where does the line get drawn ???? Utilize power and direct the power or just direct it.Same function 2 different catagories. ;)
 
Re: Switch on arc-fault

I brought this up again because (as others have stated), it was raised in the previous thread, but never really addressed. I think that the light in the switch is utilization, not just direction, and therefore qualifies it as an outlet. What about a switch with pilot light in a duplex arrangement?

Not trying to stir the pot, but would really like to know.

Mark
 
Re: Switch on arc-fault

Mark, of course if the yoke contains a light it is now more than just a switch, so we are not talking about a switch any longer are we?

Roger
 
Re: Switch on arc-fault

Roger,

That still leaves the question of whether a lighted switch is an outlet?

Mark
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top