Re: Newbie Advice needed

[Free <Free-spam-me-not@xxxxxxxxxx>]

To my surprise, I pulled a couple of switches and did find a neutral
wire tucked in the back.  Even though I replaced most all of my
switches several years ago, I didn't remember seeing the neutral - I
guess because I just ignored it.

However, since SmartHome RX (no neutral needed) switches are the same
price as the normal switches (neutral needed), it would be easier to
just use the RX switches and avoid fishing out that heavy gauge
neutral wire and stuffing it all in the outlet box.  Is there a signal
reliability issue with using the non-neutral switches vs. standard
switches?


Mitch <sumcoolgai@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>It (the neutral wire in the switch box) just connects directly to the load.
>
>Generally, you'll have either NM 14-2, 14-3, 12-2 or 12-3 (guage-number
>of conductors excluding bare wire ground).  Usually/almost always, the
>white wire in the roamex is white.  Sometimes in three-way circuits
>you'll see the white being used for a hot line.  Some electricians are
>nice and put black tape around it then.  Some aren't ;-)
>
>Invest in a voltmeter. Test each line vs. the bare ground wire.
>
>BTW, in my experience, not many electricians wire in scheme "1" below
>since it rarely saves wire (which is relatively cheap anyway for normal
>14-2). (What's the diff if you run from the panel to the switch and then
>run a 2-conductor cable from the switch to the load?)  Also, if you've
>got a string of lights or plan to do any 3-way switches "2" makes more
>sense.  Finally, if you want to use the same run from another load to
>that switch box (say to from an upstream electrical outlet), wiring in
>scheme "2" generally makes things easier.
>
>m
>
>Free wrote:
>> Thanks for the description.  Please clarify #2.  Where the line and
>> neutral wire go to the switch, would the neutral be switched, or does
>> it just splice into the neutral wire going to the lamp?
>>
>> Practically speaking, when I pull the switch out of the wall plate,
>> how do I find the neutral wire (if it is there)?
>>
>> Paul <laflamme@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>>>There are two basic ways to wire a simple lamp and switch circuit.
>>>
>>>1) Run the power from the source (breaker panel, or other circuit)
>>>directly to the lamp fixture. This would then bring both a line and
>>>neutral to the lamp. Another two-conductor cable (not counting the
>>>ground) would then be run from the lamp fixture to the switch. This
>>>cable would bring the line only to the switch and return it to the lamp
>>>through the switch. No neutral would be at the switch.
>>>
>>>2) Run the power from the source directly to the Switch. This would then
>>>bring both a line and neutral to the switch. Another two-conductor cable
>>>would then be run from the switch to the lamp fixture. This cable would
>>>bring the neutral and a switched line to the lamp.
>>>
>>>Usually the electrician will use the shortest route requiring the least
>>>amount of cable and labour. Many houses are wired with both methods.
>>>More and more electricians today are realizing the benefit of bringing
>>>the neutral to the switch and are now wiring it that way.
>>>
>>>No, the code does not allow you to use the ground as a neutral.
>>>
>>>--
>>>Paul
>>>Visit our photo albums at http://www.laflammefamily.ca
>>>To reply, replace "deadspam.com" with "laflammefamily.ca"
>>
>>