Who needs a ground?

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daleuger

daleuger

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I was in one of the big box stores yesterday. I wasn't there for material but sometimes I look around a bit if I'm not in a hurry. I noticed that a good portion of the switches they sold didn't have ground screws. Haven't looked it up yet but I wouldn't even think those were legal at all. If so how would you ground them? Do they ever still wire houses without a ground?
 
That 's a pretty small niche out of total installed compared to the amount of two screw switches I saw. Then again big box stores are not exactly notorious for their exquisite electrical sections. I'll bite on that one.....if I have to......I guess.
 
ron said:
Jumper, I think that reference is for receptacles only.
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True enough, but receptacles are devices also so I would think switches would fall into that unless I found something that said otherwise. I'm looking as we speak for a section that does address this directly but to no avail thus far. Do you know off hand?
 
Exception B.....you beat me to the punch. I found it after I made that last post. Internet is being positively EVIL today.
 
I always thought that they carried them for the purpose of replacing an old ungrounded switch in an old house. Not that having the screw would hurt anything, but...
 
cycotcskir said:
I always thought that they carried them for the purpose of replacing an old ungrounded switch in an old house. Not that having the screw would hurt anything, but...
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Well it wasn't THAT they carry them so much as the fact that the majority of the ones they do carry are 2 screw. 3 ways, 4 ways, single poles all different varieties. Some of the dimmer and motion sensing ones were in plastic packaging covered up by instructions so I didn't get a look at them.
 
oh. I don't even pay attention to most of what Big Orange carries in the electric section. I basically go to what I need then bolt. I hate even going in there for anything electrical, yet I consistantly subject myself to them...Damn convenience!!

Every time I go, there is always 1 or 2 things that I need, that they don't have. Then I need to go somewhere else, anyway.

oh well
 
cycotcskir said:
oh. I don't even pay attention to most of what Big Orange carries in the electric section. I basically go to what I need then bolt. I hate even going in there for anything electrical, yet I consistantly subject myself to them...Damn convenience!!

Every time I go, there is always 1 or 2 things that I need, that they don't have. Then I need to go somewhere else, anyway.

oh well
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Oh I refuse to buy material. I avoid it like the plague, and I've even mentioned that a time or two on here, but I do look around a bit once in a while.
 
Do switches even require grounding in Canada?

Even plastic boxes have a bonding strap and ground screws in Canada, so I don't see why a switch would need to have a separate ground.
 
peter d said:
Do switches even require grounding in Canada?

Even plastic boxes have a bonding strap and ground screws in Canada, so I don't see why a switch would need to have a separate ground.
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It's coming into being from what I understand but most I've seen thus far has been very much like we do it in the states. We still run EGC's with the circuits. I wouldn't exactly call me an expert on Canada though. I've been up here a whopping 9 months. I like to keep up with what's going on on both sides because there's still a possibility in the air of me coming back in a year or two. (Not by choice :mad:)
 
Just to be "devil's advocate", but what purpose does a ground on a switch even provide? It is a plastic handled rocker intended to create a short circuit between two conductors. The only purpose of grounding the yoke is to ensure that the two screws securing the coverplate are not energized. Come to think of it, it would actually reduce the severity of those carpet shocks in the winter. :roll:
 
Rick, what about a metal plate? What about a metal plate that is energized in close proximity to something that is grounded. That is why they are grounded.


Charlie
 
less screws = less confusion :D
i've been on far more than one service call where Mr homewowner has gone to repace his non-working 3 way switch (w/o ground) only to install a new SP switch with ground screw which he bought at the big box. old switch has 3 screws, new switch has 3 screws and "I put them back just like they came off-- --what IS the problem" ?
 
augie47 said:
less screws = less confusion :D
i've been on far more than one service call where Mr homewowner has gone to repace his non-working 3 way switch (w/o ground) only to install a new SP switch with ground screw which he bought at the big box. old switch has 3 screws, new switch has 3 screws and "I put them back just like they came off-- --what IS the problem" ?
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No problem....more money for you.
 
I love that call too, Gus. Or how bout when they do the opposite and buy a 3 way in place of a 1 pole and have managed to put the hot, neut, and grd on it!? I've had some funny explanations of what that was all about, but always in the dark:grin:
 
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