Re: Neutral terminal on X-10 type wall switch

["Marilyn & Bob" <Privacy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I would still like to know if someone knows what is the actual function of
the neutral connection.  While your statement is almost always true, note
that very low current devices such as lighted switches do use the ground to
complete the circuit.  They do not even have a neutral terminal.  Is the
mechanism in an X-10 switch analogous to the lighted switch or does it use
more than a trickle current?
--
Peace,
BobJ

"BruceR" <razrbruce@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:469daf82$0$4707$4c368faf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> NO. The ground should never be used as a condutor except as a failsafe. It
> is not safe to do so and it is not code compliant.
>
> Marilyn & Bob wrote:
>> What is the purpose of the neutral terminal on the X-10 wall switch
>> for fluorescent bulbs.  My question is: is this a real neutral
>> connection or simply a mechanism to allow for a trickle current that
>> would be provided by an incandescent bulb.  The reason I ask is that
>> I have one switch box that is grounded but does not have a neutral
>> wire.  It currently has a standard X-10 switch in it which controls a
>> track light which has 3 CF bulbs and two incandescents.  I would like
>> to replace the incandescents with CF bulbs and would thus have to use
>> a X-10 type switch which requires a neutral.  So I want to know if  I
>> can safely use the ground instead of the neutral.
>
>