Hondaguy
code does not allow a circuit to depend on the device
You have been misinformed.
There are two code sections that I am aware of that address the issue you bring up.
One is 250.148 which requires that device removal will not interrupt the continuity of the equipment grounding conductor.
The second is 300.13(B) which requires that device removal will not interrupt the continuity of a grounded condutor that is part of a multiwire branch circuit.
[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 12-03-2005).]
