Timeline for Can I ground a new light to an old metal box via a switch yoke?
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
10 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
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| Nov 12, 2017 at 21:56 | comment | added | Dave | Thanks everyone. I'm going to tap new 10-32 holes for proper ground screws. I think that is the safest bet. | |
| Nov 11, 2017 at 20:52 | comment | added | Harper - Reinstate Monica | I would hope not, mounting hardware is not reliable unless the flanges land hard metal-metal. | |
| Nov 11, 2017 at 18:55 | comment | added | Jim Stewart | Concerning grounding in the metal box for the light fixture when you have changed to NM cable from the light fixture box to the switch box from the original BX, I think the prudent course would be to secure the ground wire to the box and leave a free end to connect to a ground wire from the fixture, if any. Do all code approved light fixtures have a grounding wire or do some depend on the mounting hardwared? | |
| Nov 11, 2017 at 18:29 | comment | added | Jim Stewart | I am deleting my comment advocating using the mounting tab to ground a switch because of the answers in this diy.stackexchange.com/questions/103034/…. Evidently using the plain end tab of a switch for grounding is not allowed for flush mounted metal boxes. It is allowed only for surface mounted metal boxes. Devices labelled "self grounding" (with spring loaded contacts) presumably are allowed even on flush mounted metal boxes. | |
| Nov 11, 2017 at 18:06 | comment | added | A. I. Breveleri | @Jim Stewart: If you can find a reference that indicates that the clip is usually acceptable to electrical codes, this should be an answer. | |
| Nov 11, 2017 at 18:03 | comment | added | Jim Stewart | Another method of grounding to a metal box is the spring clip which holds a ground pigtail hard against the box. grainger.com/product/2DCN3?cm_mmc=PPC | |
| Nov 11, 2017 at 18:03 | comment | added | A. I. Breveleri | Another problem with using the switch yoke as part of the ground path is that whenever you pull the switch out for maintenance or analysis, the light is no longer grounded. This could add confusion to the analysis of a failure by some future DIY electrician. | |
| Nov 11, 2017 at 17:59 | comment | added | A. I. Breveleri | I think tapping a new hole in the box is far superior to relying on the sometimes wobbly contact between the yoke and the box. | |
| Nov 11, 2017 at 17:11 | review | First posts | |||
| Nov 11, 2017 at 20:45 | |||||
| Nov 11, 2017 at 17:08 | history | asked | Dave | CC BY-SA 3.0 |