And does the NEC require...

[Randy Jones]

that light switches be connected to ground in single family residential
construction? If so can you please cite the section number? Thanks!

 

[Eric Tappert]

that light switches be connected to ground in single family residential
construction? If so can you please cite the section number? Thanks!

Try section 404.9b of the 2002 NEC. It clearly requires switches to
be grounded. The concern is the use of metal faceplates, which need
to be grounded.

E. Tappert

 

[[email protected]]

that light switches be connected to ground in single family residential
construction? If so can you please cite the section number? Thanks!

110-3 (b) before 2002; 110.3 (B) in 2002 code
It requires that you follow the instructions provided
with the device. Those instructions show grounding the
yoke.

380-9 pre 2002, 404.9 2002 code:
"Snap switches, including dimmer switches, shall be
effectively grounded..."

 

[Randy Jones]

I'm not sure what the sequence is. We just moved into a house we had built
here in Florida and when I removed the cover plate from a 3-gang switch
(switched wall outlet, overhead fan light and overhead fan) to replace one
with a fan speed slide switch, I noticed none of the 3 switches were
grounded.

|
|>that light switches be connected to ground in single family residential
|>construction? If so can you please cite the section number? Thanks!
|>
| Try section 404.9b of the 2002 NEC. It clearly requires switches to
| be grounded. The concern is the use of metal faceplates, which need
| to be grounded.

Would you run the supply to the light first, and let the switch get its
ground from the bare or green wire in the wires running from the light
to the switch, or would you run the supply to the switch first and pass
ground through to everything in that order?

http://ka9wgn.ham.org/ |

 

[SQLit]

110-3 (b) before 2002; 110.3 (B) in 2002 code
It requires that you follow the instructions provided
with the device. Those instructions show grounding the
yoke.

If there is a metal box and the box is grounded would not the code be met?

 

[Randy Jones]

They used plastic boxes. All builders here use plastic nowadays.

 

[w_tom]

If the container is plastic, then a safety ground
requirement to switch is not required. HOWEVER - those screws
are metal. They can become exposed hot parts. How do they
get around that problem? I don't know. But those exposed
metal screws are considered plastic.

 

[[email protected]]

If the container is plastic, then a safety ground
requirement to switch is not required.

Yes it is. See 404.9 (B) 2002 code:
"Snap switches, including dimmer and similar control
switches, shall be effectively grounded and shall provide
a means to ground metal faceplates, whether or not a metal
faceplate is installed."

There is one only one exception, and that is only for
replacing a switch in an older circuit that does not
contain an equipment ground.



HOWEVER - those screws

 

[volts500]

They used plastic boxes. All builders here use plastic nowadays.

Then the equipment grounding conductor (bare wire) needs to be connected to
each switch.

 

[KR Williams]

|
|>that light switches be connected to ground in single family residential
|>construction? If so can you please cite the section number? Thanks!
|>
| Try section 404.9b of the 2002 NEC. It clearly requires switches to
| be grounded. The concern is the use of metal faceplates, which need
| to be grounded.

Would you run the supply to the light first, and let the switch get its
ground from the bare or green wire in the wires running from the light
to the switch, or would you run the supply to the switch first and pass
ground through to everything in that order?

Oh, good grief! The ground has nothing to do with the order of
the boxes! Ground != neutral. The switches and recepticals must
be grounded (green/bare wire). The switch must be in the hot
(black) wire. The cable can continue through the box to the
light fixture, or not. ...but the switched conductor must be the
*hot*.

 

[Randy Jones]

Am I to understand that plastic boxes have a metal grounding mechanism
built-in that reaches the screws by which the switch is secured?

 

[Randy Jones]

Then if a light switch is installed in a plastic box in new construction, a
ground wire MUST be connected to the ground terminal that is on the switch?
And if the switch has a ground lug, is it possible it is UL listed as not
requiring a hard connection to ground?

 

[[email protected]]

Then if a light switch is installed in a plastic box in new construction, a
ground wire MUST be connected to the ground terminal that is on the switch?
Yes.

And if the switch has a ground lug, is it possible it is UL listed as not
requiring a hard connection to ground?

The question is meaningless. It is the NEC that requires
connecting the switch to ground, not the UL.

 

[Randy Jones]

So, then, finally, if a light switch is installed in a plastic box in new
residential construction, the ground conductor in the circuit must be
attached to the switch. Right?

 

[Randy Jones]

Here's a new twist... what if the switch controls a "split" wired wall
receptacle (duplex) that IS grounded?

 

[[email protected]]

So, then, finally, if a light switch is installed in a plastic box in new
residential construction, the ground conductor in the circuit must be
attached to the switch. Right?

Right. How many times do you have to be told?

 

[Randy Jones]

It's just hard for me to believe what I know I'm reading. We just moved into
a brand new house built by SeaGate Homes here in east central Florida and
NONE of the light switches have a ground wire connected to the ground screw
whether or not they switch an overhead light or a split wired duplex
receptacle.

How in the world do you think they were able to get a C.O.?

 

[Randy Jones]

Like the medicine cabinet I paid for - it's a 14" X 19" hole on the bathroom
wall (I guess the shelves and door were additional options they forgot to
tell me about).

 

[Randy Jones]

It sounds like you know something about SeaGate Homes!

 

[w_tom]

The code makes an exception to safety grounding switch based
upon no exposed conductive parts. I don't have the copy.
However I verified it because so many electricians are not
grounding the switch AND passing inspections. Checked out the
2002 code book. As I had posted previously:

If the container is plastic, then a safety ground
requirement to switch is not required. HOWEVER - those screws
are metal. They can become exposed hot parts. How do they
get around that problem? I don't know.

It is stated in code book. When the switch and its box are
not metallic, then code says safety ground is not required.
And yes, those exposed metal screws, for some reason, are not
considered conductive. Had the same questions and doubts.
Looked it up. Inspectors were approving just as code stated.