Neutral at Switch Locations [404.2(C), 2020 NEC]

404.2(C) Neutral at Switch Locations - www.MikeHolt.com/code. If you’re under the impression that all light switch locations are required to contain a neutral conductor, then you’ve been misinformed or maybe you haven’t read the Code. Learn the conditions where light switch locations may, or may not, require a neutral conductor in this video about section 404.2(C) in the NEC.
Want to learn more about this topic? This video clip is extracted from Mike Holt's 2020 Understanding the National Electrical Code Complete Library. Click here www.mikeholt.com/Code to see the full program.
For almost 50 years Mike Holt Enterprises has been creating quality products that help electrical professionals master their craft. Our products help electricians understand the National Electrical Code requirements needed for safe electrical installations, learn the skills needed to confidently pass electrical exams, and gain the technical knowledge that will take their careers to the next level. We would be honored to help you with your studies. Visit www.MikeHolt.com for exam preparation tips and training, instructor and curriculum support, continuing education options and much more. Need additional help? Call us at 888.632.2633.

[@ecospider5]

This is really interesting. At the end talking about when you are allowed to use the grounding conductor as the neutral was new information for me. That load being below 0.5 milliamperes makes sense.

[@estevaness]

Nice 👍 just answered my 3 way and 4 way switches question as I’m looking over prints

[@randolphbuffington3000]

' to neutral or not to neutral ' at a light switch..... It is a small nominal cost to send home runs to switch boxes versus to lighting fixture boxes. But today's technology it only makes sense to have a neutral present at all switch locations.

[@Sparky-ww5re]

At the company I work for, that's all we do pretty much, except in certain situations, like installing a switch in a surface mount box on a cinderblock wall in a utility room or unfinished basement where the NM cable must be run through flexible conduit for protection, often times I find it easier to run the feed into the light, then run one 14/3 through the conduit to the switch, and place a wirenut on the neutral. Vs power to the switch and trying to fish 2 runs of 14/2 through a conduit. Even though such locations do not require a neutral. Btw I do mostly residential, new construction.

[@cntrygrlTawanna]

I started wiring homes in 2003 and we were already putting neutrals at switch locations. The guys who trained me would get mad when guys used 14/2 as a traveler pairs or "white" as a conductor(hot). Most of the times those guys wouldn't bother to color with sharpees either. Of course wire was a lot cheaper back then.

[@brianhogan433]

Have you ever come across a carter 3 way in knob and tube?

[@unoreversecard3302]

When wiring in NM (romex) do these count since I continue using my white wire as a neutral conductor

[@albeirotriana9714]

Excelenteishon good Mike.😉👍

[@ericrioux6607]

Numerals for numbers exceeding ten , word form for numbers not

[@scotttribout1150]

So then why not require a neutral at every point of connection. Receptacles aside, single pole 3-way 4-way. It seems like they are angling towards that. More and more people are switching to dimmers. Granted some new dimmers are designed to work with "existing wiring". Just run a neutral to every location if it's not needed cap it.

[@anthonyesposito7]

I think that's what they are going for right?

[@rocdajacable]

Ok quick question, if my owner wants 6 in total 3 way switches for the bathroom light Fan & Heater in opposite locations... If you can only get 5 what do you do? Or am I missing something

[@MikeHoltNEC]

Put in six switches if you like, or ten..

[@terrydavidson7934]

Is it a neutral actually? does it carry the unbalanced current? or is it a common, white or return conductor?

[@illestofdemall13]

Those two things you mentioned are both the same. It is the grounded conductor.

[@okaro6595]

Essentially both. It is the grounded conductor. On a single circuit with phase and neutral it carries the same current as the phase and as far as the working of the device is concerned there is no difference between it and the phase. The differences are related to safety. Once neutrals with several circuits are combined or in 240 V circuits it carries the imbalance of the currents in the phases and ensures both legs are 120 volts. If the neutral breaks then the 240 V will divide arbitrarily between the legs. Note on a simple 120 V circuit breaking the neutral just disconnects the circuit. It is often also called the return conductor but this is somewhat inaccurate as in AC the direction of the current changes 120 times a second. It is better to see it as the grounded conductor.

[@clutch-400]

I don't like this rule. Mainly because in a residential setting you will be running sheathed or NM cable to the switch. I can see in an commercial setting. But to me, in my short experience, it just doesn't seem practical.

[@okaro6595]

British call the system with two switches two way.

[@OriginalJetForMe]

They really could've simplified the code by saying "neutrals everywhere." FFS. You need a neutral for smart switches, and I want to be able to put those everywhere.

[@kefrenferrer6777]

Waste of cable, if you use a normal switch why to run a extra cable never to be used?

[@jd_edits8000]

Did Mike just say that guy charged 250000 $ to change 12 receptacles?

[@jamalissa954]

Did that guy just say 12 15a receptacles 20a cks

[@Decktrio]

He sure did! lol. Must be under some very special conditions, or really difficult to access locations.

[@djea3589]

Most people are not going to afford a $35 to $50 switch in every light circuit, nor do they need it or want it necessariy. This code is costing hundreds of millions annually. Not rational at all. Besides which there are other occupancy systems that are not even located in switch boxes. We wired an entire commercial huge facility with such sensors and not one in a switch box.