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Posted By: scameron81 grounding switches - 12/09/04 04:03 AM
I was just wondering how many people ground their switches when using NM in plastic boxes. In the four years I have been in the trade I have never grounded a switch nor have I ever seen a grounded switch. Whenever I ask I am told "thats a dumb rule that nobody does"
Posted By: A-Line Re: grounding switches - 12/09/04 04:31 AM
Before it was a code requirement I never grounded my switches but ever since it became a code requirement I have always grounded my switches. When the code first changed there were a few times that I did not ground dimmer switches because they didn't have a grounding terminal but now it seems that they all have a ground wire or ground terminal.
Posted By: detubbs Re: grounding switches - 12/09/04 05:34 AM
is that what them there little fancy green screws are for?!
Posted By: Steve Miller Re: grounding switches - 12/09/04 01:45 PM
Not only do we have to ground the switch on plastic boxes; I got called about a year ago for not grounding the switches in metal boxes. The reason given was: If I had removed the paper that holds the screw to the switch AND the switch rested firmly on the metal box (not by the ears on the drywall) I could forget the grd wire.
Posted By: Ryan_J Re: grounding switches - 12/09/04 02:18 PM
I still write it up as a violation once in a while. Most people here have figured out (after 6 years) that it is in fact a requirement.
Posted By: resqcapt19 Re: grounding switches - 12/09/04 06:29 PM
Steve,
Quote
If I had removed the paper that holds the screw to the switch AND the switch rested firmly on the metal box (not by the ears on the drywall) I could forget the grd wire.
The NEC does not require this for switches. Look at the wording in 404.9(B)(1) as compared to the requirement for receptacles in 250.146(A).
Don
Posted By: Steve Miller Re: grounding switches - 12/09/04 10:02 PM
"Snap switches shall be considered effectively grounded if either of the following conditions is met.
(1) The switch is mounted with metal screws to a metal box or to a nonmetallic box with integral means for grounding devices."

I did point this sec out at the time. His response was that "mounted" meant tight and in direct contact. He's a good inspector and normally very fair so it just wasn't worth arguing. We went back and added the jumpers (on 9 switches) like he wanted.
Posted By: mustangelectric Re: grounding switches - 12/09/04 10:21 PM
Hi,
I still see switches here in NW Arkansas in BRAND NEW HOMES that DO NOT have the switches grounded. I thought all metal parts of the electrical system Shall be grounded?

Myself, I could not sleep at night if I did not ground switches. Grounding is the MOST IMPORTANT part of ANY electrical system whether it is in a single room log cabin or a Nuclear Plant. What if a person actually got killed or injured from a switch that was not properly grounded? ( I doubt it) The forensic team would tear you apart..and your insurance would then come after you!

I think this is another one of those REGIONAL things...where you dont get shocked in certain parts of the country!

I say if the device has provisions for a ground then it should be used. Besides I cant remember ever seeing a MODERN switch that did not have a ground screw. It cost money to engineer them and to have them put on the switch so if it was not required, the first place you would see it would be from the manufacturer. If it is a two wire system you must use a gfi to replace an ungrounded switch.

Another thing I see a lot of is POINT OF ATTACHMENT ABOVE WEATHER HEAD! I guess nobody cares!

GREENIES ARE CHEAP!

-regards

Mustang


[This message has been edited by mustangelectric (edited 12-09-2004).]

[This message has been edited by mustangelectric (edited 12-09-2004).]
Posted By: iwire Re: grounding switches - 12/09/04 10:30 PM
Quote
Another thing I see a lot of is POINT OF ATTACHMENT BELOW WEATHER HEAD!

It is required to be below the weather head.

Quote
230.54(C) Service Heads Above Service-Drop Attachment. Service heads and goosenecks in service-entrance cables shall be located above the point of attachment of the service-drop conductors to the building or other structure.

Exception: Where it is impracticable to locate the service head above the point of attachment, the service head location shall be permitted not farther than 600 mm (24 in.) from the point of attachment.

This just came up at another forum and I messed it up big time. shocked

But in the end IMO, we decided the point of attachment is required to be below the weather head.

Bob
Posted By: mustangelectric Re: grounding switches - 12/09/04 10:49 PM
Hi,
I am sorry I meant ABOVE THE WEATHER HEAD! LONG DAY!

Thanks for pointing that mistake out..I went back and corrected my post.

-regards

Mustang
Posted By: scameron81 Re: grounding switches - 12/09/04 11:26 PM
I have been trained in the "do it faster and cheaper" methods of wiring. I have been not how to wire things to cod, but how to fool the inspector and make things look like they are done to code. My boss (who is an EC) doesn't even own a code book. Any time I mention something its always "I haven't burned down a house yet." I didn't even know that people took the code book seriously until I found this website.
Posted By: Ryan_J Re: grounding switches - 12/09/04 11:32 PM
Scameron: If I inspected your work I would turn your company into the licensing board with request for revocation. I'm not pointing fingers at you, but I am pointing fingers at your employer.
Posted By: scameron81 Re: grounding switches - 12/09/04 11:37 PM
This is one of the reasons that I am in the process of changing companies. As I have learned more I just don't feel comfortable with the way things are being done anymore. The last straw for me was last week when I opened up a Transfer switch and he didn't even bother to ground the enclosure.
Posted By: resqcapt19 Re: grounding switches - 12/10/04 12:04 AM
Steve,
If you read the ROPs and ROCs for switch grounding you will see that the panel clearly intended that the screw itself provide the bonding. They do not intend to require metal to metal contact as with a receptacle. The screw threads in contact with the box and the screw head in contact with the switch yoke is all that the code requires.
Don
Posted By: resqcapt19 Re: grounding switches - 12/10/04 12:06 AM
Mustang,
Quote
It cost money to engineer them and to have them put on the switch so if it was not required ...
The grounding screw is required to be used when a switch is installed in a nonmetallic box. Self-grounding receptacles have green screw for the same reason.
Don
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