2 questions for Sparkies

[theoldwizard1]

Are octagon boxes REQUIRED for all ceiling boxes ?

Either current or upcoming NEC requires a hot and a neutral in both the switch box and the junction box controlled by the switch. This means 3 wires between the two boxes. Is the black or the red "hot at all times" between these boxes ?

 

[rlitman]

I use the black for hot at all times, and the red for the switched leg.

 

[Innovate1]

It shouldn't matter if black or red is hot all the time. Maybe some electricians have a standard way to do it just to keep things straight but as long as its not white or green they are power wires and can be switched or not. NEC doesn't care what color it is as long as its not white or green. At least that's the way I understand it.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Are octagon boxes REQUIRED for all ceiling boxes ?

No. Other boxes qualify. Some fixtures don't require them.

Either current or upcoming NEC requires a hot and a neutral in both the switch box and the junction box controlled by the switch. This means 3 wires between the two boxes. Is the black or the red "hot at all times" between these boxes ?

If you take the wires to the switch box first only 2 wires will be needed.

EDIT: The Code change appeared in the 2014 NEC

 

[Falcon67]

N
If you take the wires to the switch box first only 2 wires will be needed.

EDIT: The Code change appeared in the 2014 NEC

LOL - why putting some wifi control switching in my shop will be a PITA. Have to re-pull nearly every switch leg. Dammit.

 

[jeffmattero76]

Not a sparky, but I think that simply means that the incoming cable goes to the switchbox first, and then to the light fixture. In other words, no switch loops, since there must be a neutral in the switchbox.

Sent from my SM-G530T using Tapatalk

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you take the wires to the switch box first only 2 wires will be needed.

EDIT: The Code change appeared in the 2014 NEC

Not a sparkie or a "code lawyer" but it was my understanding this was exactly one of the cases they wanted to cover !

 

[sberry]

Everyone may have a little different method but I run 2 conductor to all the switch boxes and 3 to the fixtures most of the time. Cap the black hot allows extension, live power or can even be changed for 2 switches.