green.bubbly
Well-known member
I see a lot of ways to wire a three way light circuit. I like the one below because it makes sense in my head. I just want to make sure it meets current NEC code.
Is this 3 way light circuit code compliant?
- Thread starter green.bubbly
- Start date
Gooch
Well-known member
There should be a ground wire going to the switches. but other than that it looks right.
Speedy Petey
Well-known member
But if the boxes are metallic there does not need to be a grounding jumper to the switches.
NEC 404.9(B)
I am not an electrician by trade so I have been curious about this. Makes perfect sense. Does it also work, per code, that you can run the ground to the switch and then have it ground the metallic box? I have in the past grounded both the box and the switch but know electrically when installed that both are of the same potential when together.
lg
no neat sig line
nkachur
Well-known member
I don't ever remember a switch with a ground screw.
r_olson_06
Well-known member
all the new switches have ground screws. and i thought with metallic boxes a ground jumper to the device was required or at least if you are using an RS cover or Industrial cover.
That is a very common way to wire a 3 way switch. If you are comfortable with it, thats the way to do it.
If the Lunminaire box is accessible for future expansion I like to take the the feed to the luminare first. This way a neutral and a phase leg is available for connection of future wiring. Thats just my thinking.
Speedy is spot on 404.9(B)permits a metal box to act as an equipment ground if the switch is connected to said box, a jumper would not be required.
250.146 Allows such installations as long as the device yoke is rated for self grounding, or their is metal to metal contact between the box and the yoke
314.20 Requires a recess box to be set back no more than 1/4" from the surface
If the Lunminaire box is accessible for future expansion I like to take the the feed to the luminare first. This way a neutral and a phase leg is available for connection of future wiring. Thats just my thinking.
Speedy is spot on 404.9(B)permits a metal box to act as an equipment ground if the switch is connected to said box, a jumper would not be required.
250.146 Allows such installations as long as the device yoke is rated for self grounding, or their is metal to metal contact between the box and the yoke
314.20 Requires a recess box to be set back no more than 1/4" from the surface
Your theory is correct, the device would ground the box.
However 250.148(B) prohibits this practice. the following is a direct quote from the NEC.
250.148 Continuity and Attachment of Equipment
Grounding Conductors to Boxes. Where circuit conductors
are spliced within a box, or terminated on equipment
within or supported by a box, any equipment grounding conductor(
s) associated with those circuit conductors shall be connected
within the box or to the box with devices suitable for
the use in accordance with 250.148(A) through (E).
Exception: The equipment grounding conductor permitted
in 250.146(D) shall not be required to be connected to the
other equipment grounding conductors or to the box.
(A) Connections. Connections and splices shall be made
in accordance with 110.14(B) except that insulation shall
not be required.
(B) Grounding Continuity. The arrangement of grounding
connections shall be such that the disconnection or the
removal of a receptacle, luminaire, or other device fed from
the box does not interfere with or interrupt the grounding
continuity.
Speedy Petey
Well-known member
It is required for receptacles. They have different grounding requirements than switches.
OP
green.bubbly
Well-known member
Thanks for all the replies. Much appreciated. 