I read that with the same surprise that you do: a grounded conductor (neutral) is not required at a switch that controls a receptacle.
Are neutrals required at switches?
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.
Where is a grounded circuit conductor required for switches controlling lighting loads?
The grounded circuit conductor for the controlled lighting circuit shall be installed at the location where switches control lighting loads that are supplied by a grounded general-purpose branch circuit serving bathrooms, hallways, stairways, and habitable rooms or occupiable spaces as defined in the applicable …
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 …
In which circuit conductor must switches for lighting be connected?
grounded conductor
A: A grounded conductor is required where a switch controls a receptacle load. B: A grounded conductor is required where lighting in the area is controlled by automatic means.
Do light switches need to be grounded?
Grounding light switches have become commonplace, used as a preventative safety measure. It is perfectly legal to wire a light switch without the inclusion of a ground. Dimmers will require a ground wire but traditional toggle-type switches will not. Omitting a ground wire on any switch is not recommended.
Does my light switch have a neutral wire?
Remove the wall plate of the existing switch by either snapping it off or unscrewing it. Unscrew the existing switch from the electrical box and slowly pull it out just enough to reveal the wires connected to it. If you see a white wire, or a group of them, then you have neutral wiring.
Where a grounding means exists in the receptacle enclosure a an _____ type receptacle shall be used?
Where a grounding means exists in the receptacle enclosure or an equipment grounding conductor is installed in accordance with 250.130(C), grounding-type receptacles shall be used and shall be connected to the equipment grounding conductor in accordance with 406.4(C) or 250.130(C). (2) Non–Grounding-Type Receptacles.
Is it ever permissible to switch the 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.” …
What does the NEC require in regards to the method of operation of a circuit breaker?
Circuit breakers must be capable of being opened and closed by hand. Non-manual means of operating a circuit breaker, such as electrical shunt trip or pneumatic operation, are permitted if the circuit breaker can also be manually operated [240.80].
What type of conductor must be used for switching?
ungrounded
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 type of switch would you use to control a lighting load from one location only?
single-pole switch
The single-pole switch is the general-purpose workhorse of switches. It is used to control a light, receptacle, or other device from a single location.
Is it permitted to connect the White grounded circuit conductor to the equipment grounding terminal of a receptacle?
The grounded-circuit conductors in the feeder and branch circuits cannot be connected to the equipment-grounding conductor. One sentence in part (B) reads, “Any installed grounded conductor shall not be connected to the equipment grounding conductor or to the grounding electrode.”
Is neutral a ground?
Ground and neutral are circuit conductors used in alternating current electrical systems. The ground circuit is connected to earth, and neutral circuit is usually connected to ground. As the neutral point of an electrical supply system is often connected to earth ground, ground and neutral are closely related.
What does the neutral conductor carry in terms of circuit current?
When sizing the load for a 2-wire circuit, the grounded neutral conductor carries the same amount of current as the ungrounded phase conductor. This type of installation has no unbalanced load; therefore, the neutral conductor carries full current.
Which of the following receptacle locations does not have to be GFCI protected?
However, the Code does note a few exceptions to these rules: GFCI protection is not required for receptacles that are not readily accessible or are located on a dedicated branch circuit and identified for a specific cord-and-plug-connected appliance, such as a sump pump. Don’t forget kitchen or wet bar areas.
Which of the following articles in the NEC contain requirements for GFCI protection of receptacles?
The NEC expanded GFCI protection under Article 210.63(A) for HVAC equipment and Article 210.63(B) for indoor service equipment and indoor equipment requiring dedicated space.
Does a GFCI need a ground?
A GFCI does not require a ground wire to work the way it should. GFCI offers protection from electrocution by tripping power off in case of ground faults detected across the hot and neutral outlet slots. As mentioned above, GFCI is very important for protection against ground faults such as imbalances in the current.
In what locations can ground fault circuit interrupter protection should be installed?
The NEC goes on to list the following required branch circuit locations to be protected by GFCI technology: bathrooms, garages, outdoors, crawl spaces, basements, kitchens (countertop receptacles), sinks (within 1.8 m, 6 ft), boathouses, bathtubs, laundry areas, and indoor damp and wet locations.
Where does OSHA require GFCI devices?
OSHA requires GFCIs on construction sites for all 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacle outlets that are not a part of the permanent wiring of the structure and are in use by employees. This requirement is found in 1926.404(b)(1).
When must an assured equipment grounding conductor program Aegcp be in place?
Before first use. After any repairs, and before placing back in service. After suspected damage, and before returning to use. Every 3 months [for exceptions see, 29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1)(iii)(E)(4)].
