switching to neutral

[novemberaudi]

I assume it is permitted by code but it seems unconventional to switch ballast wires to the neutral. If I went into a building to troubleshoot a switch I would not expect ballast wires switched to the neutral. Is this common with electronic ballasts?

 

[fmtjfw]

You are not switching "power". The gray lead is probably a pilot wire with almost no current on it.

 

[Jamesmarq]

You are not switching "power". The gray lead is probably a pilot wire with almost no current on it.

As in, you are providing a constant 120v feed to the unit and actually switching a control wire. Just as in switching contactors, you are not switching the load through them. It appears that you have some normally open / normally closed action going on based on the position of the switch.