Switch Leg Questions

[Dave123]

If using two conductor cable (e.g., romex, bx) the white is used to sends power to the switch and black is the return. Is there a code reference for this or could the white conductor be used for the return?

In the case of wire in conduit or emt I usually send power to the switch using a black conductor and yellow for the return. Again, any code reference here?

Thanks
Dave

[neil seidner]

Yes Dave there are code references for both.

For the first 4-034 (2)
For the second 4-034 (1)

The identified conductor is the white.
The unidentified is the black, yellow, or some other color.

You are doing this exactly the way the code book describes it

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 09, 2004 09:11 PM: Message edited by: ccrash ]</font>

[Dave123]

Thanks for the reply ccrash.

I'm having some difficulty understanding rule 4-034, however.

Sub rule (2) refers to "3-way or 4-way switch loops". Is this not a reference to the travelers?

Sub rule (1) refers to "painting" the identified conductor.

Seems to be a stretch interpreting this for our use with switch legs. Isn't there a more specific rule? And in terms of the using which colour for the return or the feed for that matter, again is there something more specific.

I realize that many colours have specific meaning depending on the installation (e.g., phase colouring, etc.) and it would make sense not to conflict with them.

Thanks in advance... just a new guy in the trade trying to stay one step ahead.

Dave

[Dave123]

Thanks again ccrash. With your comments and reviewing the code it now makes sense.

In terms of the colour to be used for the return. Obviously black could always be used, but what about other colours? (except green of course).

[Dave123]

Sorry ccrash, you can ignore the question in my last message. Your earlier reply, "The unidentified is the black, yellow, or some other color" answers my question... any colour could be used!

Thanks again,
Dave

[neil seidner]

Confusing rule, isn't it Dave: I'll try to clarify.

Sub rule (2) also refers to single pole switches as well. The white wire can be used for any wire in the switch loop (travellers or switch"feed"). Except it can not be used as the return wire from the switch, feeding the light (last sentence in subrule (2)), the black conductor must be used.

Painting the wire, or using phase tape. would be done if you had a three-wire feeding a 3 phase load, such as a motor. The white wire would be marked Blue. It would also be done withe a 2-wire feeding a 240V single phase load such as a heater, the second hot conductor would be marked Red.

The rule seems confusing, but if you read it carefully it specifically answers all your questions.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 10, 2004 12:45 PM: Message edited by: ccrash ]</font>