Re: Neutral terminal on X-10 type wall switch

[Ian Shef <invalid@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"Marilyn & Bob" <Privacy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
m77oi.22$Nf4.7@trndny08:">news:m77oi.22$Nf4.7@trndny08:

>
> "Ian Shef" <invalid@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:Xns997281F0A66A7vaj4088ianshef@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> "Marilyn & Bob" <Privacy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
>> _YKni.10414$yx4.9624@trndny08:">news:_YKni.10414$yx4.9624@trndny08:
>>
>> <snip>
>>> 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.
>> <snip>
>> Lighted switches do NOT use the ground to complete the circuit.  They
>> complete the circuit through the load.  They operate with such a low
>> current
>> that the load is not visibly affected.
>>
>> To demonstrate this, take a properly wired lighted switch and remove
>> all of
>> the loads (bulbs) from the circuit.  The light in the switch will no
>> longer
>> work.  If the light in the switch still works, either you missed a load
>> or the wiring is incorrect.
>>
> I did this experiment and the light stayed on when the switch was in the
> open (off) position.  I removed all the bulbs, even though they are CFs
> and there would be no current through the load when they were off in any
> case.
I disagree.  As described in this newsgroup previously, CF lamps have
electronic sircuitry that can conduct current even when there is
insufficient current to light the flourescent bulb.  I would call this an
incomplete test, except for your next comment:
>
> The switch is a standard lighted SPST wall switch.  It is connected to
> the line and load.  Ground is through the box (BX cable).  When the
> switch is wired but out of the box (and the breaker is ON), the light
> does not go on. The circuit is unquestionably completed through the
> ground.  If you have a lighted switch, I suggest you do your experiment.
Since you tried both grounded and ungrounded and got different results, I
will admit that this was a good test.  I am AMAZED.  This implies that
(with the breaker on) the frame of the switch is hot (although the amount
of current available may be limited by a high value resistor).  It is a
poor practice as far as I am concerned.

I have tried the experiment with my own "standard lighted SPST wall
switch" with very different results.  Grounded or not does not matter.
Only the presence or absence of a load in the cirucit (and the state of the
switch and breaker) determines whether the light is on or not.

<snip>


--
Ian Shef     805/F6      *    These are my personal opinions
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PO Box 11337             *
Tucson, AZ 85734-1337    *