metal box grounding
#1
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metal box grounding
Why can't you ground a switch with the ground wires in a metal box? Why do you have to ground to the box? The ground wires go to ground either way, don't they? I changed a switch in my house and ran the bare copper ground to the switch instead of to the box and it wouldn't work, also a switch and outlet downstream wouldn't work either, is this right? The house is 30 yrs. old, and has romex wire.

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Why can't you ground a switch with the ground wires in a metal box? Why do you have to ground to the box? The ground wires go to ground either way, don't they? I changed a switch in my house and ran the bare copper ground to the switch instead of to the box and it wouldn't work, also a switch and outlet downstream wouldn't work either, is this right? The house is 30 yrs. old, and has romex wire.

#4
The ground wire is landed first at the box then to the switch or repectale next on metal box.
now this part you mention that the switch dont work what kind of old switch it was before and how it hook up ??
if you do used the ground wire as traviller this is a very illegal setup.
please reply to us how you got the old switch hook up and how many wire in the box ?/
Merci, Marc
now this part you mention that the switch dont work what kind of old switch it was before and how it hook up ??
if you do used the ground wire as traviller this is a very illegal setup.
please reply to us how you got the old switch hook up and how many wire in the box ?/
Merci, Marc
#7
Assuming you are using modern NM-B cable of course there is a ground wire. If you were referring to French277V's post he was writing about using two conductor NM on a three way switch where you should use 3 conductor and using the ground instead as the third conductor.