Does NEC require neutral in switch box?
Neutrals. When wiring lighting circuits supplied by a grounded general-purpose branch circuit, the 2011 NEC now requires you to provide a neutral conductor at nearly every switch point [404.2(C)]. The purpose for this is to complete a circuit path for electronic lighting control devices, such as occupancy sensors.
What is the neutral conductor called in the NEC?
According to the terminology in the CEC and NEC, the “grounding” conductor is for the safety ground, i.e., the green or bare or green with a yellow stripe wire. The word “neutral” is reserved for the white when you have a circuit with more than one “hot” wire.
What is a grounded neutral conductor?
The neutral carries the unbalanced load back to the source. The grounded conductor is the one that is intentionally grounded. In the most common wiring systems for industrial plants, commercial buildings, and residential buildings, the neutral is the intentionally grounded conductor.
Under what conditions is it required to provide a grounded neutral conductor in a switch loop for a particular switch location?
A grounded conductor is required at switch locations where general-purpose branch circuits serve “bathrooms, hallways, stairways, or rooms suitable for human habitation or occupancy as defined in the applicable building code.” A “Habitable Space” is defined in structural and residential building codes as: “A space in a
What does the NEC state regarding the switching of grounded conductors?
The NEC specifically bars switching the grounded (neutral) conductor or the grounding conductor [404.2(B)] (Figure 404-2). Note: Graphics are not included in this newsletter. Thus, for a simple on/off operation of a 120V light, you wire the switch contacts in series with the hot lead.
Does a switch need a neutral wire?
In terms of a home’s power flow, the neutral wire provides a return path for currents essential to most modern U.S. electrical codes. Combined with a power source and ground wire, you have the makeup of a contemporary light switch, but earlier switches operate without the neutral.
Is a neutral wire the same as a ground wire?
Ground and Neutral are two important conductors apart from the hot (or phase or live) wire in a typical mains AC Supply. Neutral wire acts as a return path for the main AC while Ground acts as a low impedance path to “ground” fault current.
Why neutral is not grounded?
Extra connections between ground and circuit neutral may result in circulating current in the ground path, stray current introduced in the earth or in a structure, and stray voltage. Extra ground connections on a neutral conductor may bypass the protection provided by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
Where do you bond neutral and ground?
In simple terms, the only place we want to bond the grounds and neutrals together is in the service equipment. Many people refer to it as the “main panel” or a variety of other terms. Regardless of what you may improperly call it, the point where you can disconnect all power to the building is the service equipment.
Are neutral wires required by code?
All switch locations need a neutral wire. This national electrical code was mainly implemented to accommodate potential future uses. Electronic switches require a small amount of constant electricity and therefore need a neutral wire run to them.
When should the neutral be switched?
Summary: The general rule is when you have a grounded neutral at both the generator and the utility, you must use a transfer switch with enough poles to switch the neutral. If you ground the neutral in both places, you create undesirable multiple paths for ground current to flow.
Where in the NEC are requirements found for identifying grounded conductors?
200.1 Scope. This article provides requirements for the following: Identification of terminals. Grounded conductors in premises wiring systems.
Can you switch a neutral conductor?
Summary: The general rule is when you have a grounded neutral at both the generator and the utility, you must use a transfer switch with enough poles to switch the neutral. If you ground the neutral in both places, you create undesirable multiple paths for ground current to flow.
What will happen if switch is connected to neutral wire?
If the switches are connected to neutral wire, no current will flow through the appliance and hence it will not operate.
What type of conductor must be used for switching?
You can use the white or gray conductor within a cable assembly for single-pole, three-way or four-way switch loops if it’s permanently re-identified to indicate its use as an ungrounded (hot) conductor at each location where the conductor is visible and accessible [200.7(C)(2)].
What is a grounded conductor?
A Grounded Conductor is defined as a system or circuit conductor that is intentionally grounded. When something is “grounded” in accordance with the NEC, it is connected to ground or to a conductive body that extends the ground connection. Some grounded conductors are also neutral conductors.
Do switches need grounded CEC?
CEC requires that all electrical receptacles installed in residential and places that are within reach of children to be TR (tamper resistant receptacle) rated and 3‑slot-grounded receptacle and installed that the distance between every two plugs is 12 ft. or less.
Can you switch a grounded conductor?
Similar wording is used in 430.105: “One pole of the disconnecting means shall be permitted to disconnect a permanently grounded conductor, provided the disconnecting means is designed so that the pole in the grounded conductor cannot be opened without simultaneously disconnecting all conductors of the circuit.”
Does the grounded conductor get terminated on a switch?
In a metal box, a wire type equipment grounding conductor can be attached to the box with a ground screw or clip and terminated to the switch or receptacle in the box.
Why is there a neutral wire on my light switch?
Here’s a rundown of electrical wires: The black wire is the “hot” wire, it carries the electricity from the breaker panel into the switch or light source. The white wire is the “neutral” wire, it takes any unused electricity and current and sends it back to the breaker panel.
