[Amps] Question about safety ground connection

[Gary Schafer]

There are no color coded terminals on switches.

73
Gary  K4FMX

> -----Original Message-----
> From: amps-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:amps-bounces at contesting.com] On
> Behalf Of Will Matney
> Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 10:13 PM
> To: amps at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [Amps] Question about safety ground connection
> 
> Doug,
> 
> Using a SPST switch like we use to control a ceiling lamp, it only has a
> brass, and silver screw. So, the black from the switch, on the switches
> brass screw, has to mate with the brass screw or black wire from the lamp.
> The lamps silver screw, or white wire has to connect to the main white
> return going back to the breaker box. This leaves you with a white to the
> switch, and a black hot from the breaker. Those two off colors tie
> together to make the circuit. That's the only Instance that I know they
> allow mixing colors so you don't have to buy 14-3, or 12-3 wire and use a
> red as hot. You can mark that white with tape, but any electrician who
> looks into a lamps junction box knows the black and white tied together is
> the main hot. Anywhere else though it's illegal to do this as you would
> think the white was neutral. It's not required to mark with tape, or a
> paint pen, but it's a good thing to do if someone doesn't know this is
> done all the time.
> 
> Best,
> 
> Will
> 
> *********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********
> 
> On 11/15/05 at 10:03 PM Doug Renwick wrote:
> 
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: amps-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:amps-bounces at contesting.com]On
> >Behalf Of Will Matney
> >I have always wired my 2-way switches to switch the hot (black) wire
> >and never to switch the white wire.
> >
> >Doug
> >
> >Gary,
> >
> >No, because the black from the switch has to mate with the brass or dark
> >screw (or black wire) on the light fixture or fan, that's what the NEC
> >says.
> >Then the main white return has to go to the silver screw, or white wire.
> >You
> >only have those two screws (or wires), plus a green on some for ground.
> >That
> >only leaves the white going to the switch to be used as a hot, and tied
> to
> >the black in the fixtures junction box which comes from the breaker, or
> the
> >fuse. If you put the black as hot to the switch, and then run the white
> >back
> >to a brass screw, or black wire, the inspector will catch it if he looks
> >and
> >fail it. In other words, that would put you having two whites on the
> >fixture. I learned that years ago in school under house wiring, and after
> I
> >got out and did commercial work. Sure you can do it the other way, but it
> >wont pass inspection, or wont here in Ohio.
> >
> >Best,
> >
> >Will
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >Amps mailing list
> >Amps at contesting.com
> >http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Amps mailing list
> Amps at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps