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dilligaf4lyfe t1_j27yqn7 wrote

Reply to comment by [deleted] in 3 way circuit wired correctly? by lurkerNC2019

Just to caveat, it is a hazard if switches everywhere in a building don't have neutrals. The reason for the neutral requirements is any switch using the ground for a neutral (ie an occ sensor) will put up to 1/2mA on the ground. Harmless if it's one, but if you have 10 on a circuit, all of a sudden you have 5mA on the ground. Point being, it isn't purely a design consideration, there is a hypothetical safety concern. But yeah, it's incredibly unlikely to be one here.

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capacity04 t1_j2d3aaz wrote

Is that a recent code addition? I thought you only required a neutral if the switch required one. That is, a simple 3 way switch like above does not require a neutral at the box.

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dilligaf4lyfe t1_j2e6q94 wrote

Nope, 2011. Neutral isn't required if there is conduit or the box knockouts are accessible. Basically, if it's easy to add a neutral later it isn't required.

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[deleted] t1_j280cuk wrote

[deleted]

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dilligaf4lyfe t1_j2912zc wrote

Wasn't trying to correct you, was just elaborating for anyone else who comes across this thread.

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[deleted] t1_j2a2ogp wrote

[deleted]

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dilligaf4lyfe t1_j2ao50m wrote

Or because I think it's interesting, and maybe someone else wants to know why the neutral requirement exists? I'm just elaborating on the intent behind the code, obviously it's pretty rare that hazard would ever exist. Just wanted to point out why it's there to clarify that it isn't a pointless rule.

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