install a motion sensor light switch without a ground

[snickers muncher]

Hi guys. I picked up a motion sensor light switch to install in the kitchen. The switch has terminals for the conductors but also has a spot for the ground---which the instructions insist is needed in order to work. This is an old house and the lights still run off of the original wiring which does not have a ground. Just a hot and a marked, re-purposed neutral is present.

My understanding is that these switches are like any other device and require a hot and a neutral in order to work. Is the manufacturer suggesting that I use a ground in place of a neutral for the same function? Can I just run a neutral wire (14 White Solid CU THHN Wire) from the switch to the box in the light fixture to complete the circuit. The wiring is inside of conduit, but the conduit is not grounded. Basically instead of using ground that doesn't exist can I just connect to the neutral used by the light fixture?

Thanks in advance,
John

 

[Bert_]

Yes they use the ground for the return current. Many switches have a tab that can be removed to separate the neutral from ground.

 

[snickers muncher]

I decided to experiment. I have a LED panel right above my workbench that is controlled by a normal switch right above you if you standing at the vise. I replaced the normal switch with the motion sensor switch and instead of connecting to ground I just added a neutral wire. Everything seems to be working fine.

I think I'll just leave it and purchase another for the kitchen. I could just barely reach the old switch and the wife has to use a stick.

 

[checkthisout]

Hi guys. I picked up a motion sensor light switch to install in the kitchen. The switch has terminals for the conductors but also has a spot for the ground---which the instructions insist is needed in order to work. This is an old house and the lights still run off of the original wiring which does not have a ground. Just a hot and a marked, re-purposed neutral is present.

My understanding is that these switches are like any other device and require a hot and a neutral in order to work. Is the manufacturer suggesting that I use a ground in place of a neutral for the same function? Can I just run a neutral wire (14 White Solid CU THHN Wire) from the switch to the box in the light fixture to complete the circuit. The wiring is inside of conduit, but the conduit is not grounded. Basically instead of using ground that doesn't exist can I just connect to the neutral used by the light fixture?

Thanks in advance,
John

Yes, you can run a new wire to wherever a neutral is available and pull off of that.

Lots of people cheat by using the ground wire as the neutral but this is obviously not code.

 

[checkthisout]

Yes they use the ground for the return current. Many switches have a tab that can be removed to separate the neutral from ground.

The motion switch needs power. This can only be accomplished by having a hot and neutral and in the same box.

Many 3-way switch circuits and "power to fixture" type circuits don't have a neutral at the switch.

 

[Bert_]

The motion switch needs power. This can only be accomplished by having a hot and neutral and in the same box.

Many 3-way switch circuits and "power to fixture" type circuits don't have a neutral at the switch.

These switches are allowed to use the ground for their return current. But this is the reason we are now required to have a neutral in the switch box.