jar546
Forum Coordinator
People like dimmers, especially dimmers for LED lighting these days. A lot of them are being installed where there is no neutral to carry the current of the electronic lighting control switch. In this case they are being connected to the equipment grounding conductor (EGC) in order to be able to function. This has been happening all over the place. To correct this, the 2017 code as tightened up the rules in 404.2(C) which was new in 2014 and added section 404.22 for electronic snap switches. In order for manufacturers to catch up, the 2017 code does not require compliance until January 1st, 2020.
What does this mean?
*Under normal circumstances for regular snap switches you will need to have an available neutral from the same circuit to at least one device box.
*If you have more than one switch that controls lighting in an area then you must have a neutral at all boxes.
*You can continue to replace switches without a neutral present until Jan 1, 2020 but new installations must comply.
*Electronic Lighting Control Switches (ELCS) that introduce current to the EGC can be installed only as permitted in 404.2(C) up until Jan 1, 2020. After that they are not allowed except for the following exception.
*The exception is that ELCS that introduce current on the ECG can be installed for retrofits only if they are listed and labeled for retrofit use applications only.
A few other items about these ELCS's:
*The number of ELCS on a branch circuit shall not exceed 5. This will have to be discussed during plan review.
*The number of ELCS on any feeder on the load side of a main bonding jumper shall not exceed 25. This can have serious implications for high-end houses with a separate lighting panel.
It certainly does not take much to reach 5 ELCS's on a branch circuit.
What does this mean?
*Under normal circumstances for regular snap switches you will need to have an available neutral from the same circuit to at least one device box.
*If you have more than one switch that controls lighting in an area then you must have a neutral at all boxes.
*You can continue to replace switches without a neutral present until Jan 1, 2020 but new installations must comply.
*Electronic Lighting Control Switches (ELCS) that introduce current to the EGC can be installed only as permitted in 404.2(C) up until Jan 1, 2020. After that they are not allowed except for the following exception.
*The exception is that ELCS that introduce current on the ECG can be installed for retrofits only if they are listed and labeled for retrofit use applications only.
A few other items about these ELCS's:
*The number of ELCS on a branch circuit shall not exceed 5. This will have to be discussed during plan review.
*The number of ELCS on any feeder on the load side of a main bonding jumper shall not exceed 25. This can have serious implications for high-end houses with a separate lighting panel.
It certainly does not take much to reach 5 ELCS's on a branch circuit.
