TK - Strat- KISS-Labman - et al..

This question only applies to overhead sourced switched loops.

14/2 to 14/2 - I have been taught that for a two wire switch loop, the Black from the Source goes to the Black to the Switch. White from the switch is recoded with tape and connected as the return from switch. This white lead is then connected to the black from the fixture. Is this correct?

14/2 to 14/3 (Two wall switches) - Black from the two wire source is connected to Black to the switch. Build a pigtail off the supply to the source for two switches. Recode White and feed the Black it to a fan motor black (for example) from one switch. Use the Red to feed the Blue or Recoded White for the light.

Is it correct that the Black from the Source, will always connect to the Black to the Switch and White is always recoded and used to feed the fixture on the black lead into the fixture.

I've run into a situation at my nephew's place where there does not appear to be any consistent wiring plan for fans in each room of the house.

One fan is blown and I need to change the wall switch since it is AC I know it really doesn't matter for the one switch, but I'm questioning whether to pull the face plates on the switches in the remaining rooms I haven't checked and then make the connections uniform? There is a fan in each room and there are 7 rooms in total. I've only looked at three rooms one was a two wire loop and two were three wire loops wired differently.

The WHITE should always be connected to the "source".

200.7 Use of Insulation of a White or Gray Color or with Three Continuous White Stripes
(C) Circuits of 50 Volts or More The use of insulation that is white or gray or that has three continuous white stripes for other than a grounded conductor for circuits of 50 volts or more shall be permitted only as in (1) through (3).

(1) If part of a cable assembly and where the insulation is permanently reidentified to indicate its use as an ungrounded conductor, by painting or other effective means at its termination, and at each location where the conductor is visible and accessible. Identification shall encircle the insulation and shall be a color other than white, gray, or green.

(2) Where a cable assembly contains an insulated conductor for single-pole, 3-way or 4-way switch loops and the conductor with white or gray insulation or a marking of three continuous white stripes is used for the supply to the switch but not as a return conductor from the switch to the switched outlet. In these applications, the conductor with white or gray insulation or with three continuous white stripes shall be permanently reidentified to indicate its use by painting or other effective means at its terminations and at each location where the conductor is visible and accessible.

(gets popcorn)

:)

Well, I've just see a first. I finally got over to my nephew's place and fixed the light and fan for the room.

Here is what I found. 1 Single gang wall switch box. Inside, 3 White ALum. Wires capped together with about 1/4 to 3/8 of Alum sticking out from a loose wire nut. Bottom connection, 1 Black Back stabbed, 1 Black to the loose screw terminal. Top Black backstabbed. By the way, it was a CU SPST switch. Its now a CU/ALR switch, with the two lower connections pig tailed and connected to the terminal.

Why would you backstab and the use the terminal instead of just using a much safer pigtail. I also taped the wire nut on the whites and the whites to cover the exposed Alm after tightening the wire nut.

Go Figure?

You re-used a wire nut on AL wiring?? Is it an AL rated wire nut??
I hope so!

Lazy for the backstab and screw connection.

Found this:

Aluminum Wiring Safe or Not Safe Can it be made (http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/homewiringusa/2002/shortarticles/aluminum/index.htm)

Stan,

I actually toddled over to Lowe's and they had the CU/ALR switch, but no wire nuts for Alm.

Unfortunately, I had to reuse the wire nut that was on the original white wires. However, I did re-twist the wires prior to screwing down the wire nut and than taping over the connection just as an extra measure.

I still question the logic of backstabbing one black and then connecting another black to the same screw terminal. Is there a logical reason for doing that?

By the way, thanks for the code on the re-coded white wire, I guess you could say I was consistent. Consistently wrong. Very similar to working the plate in a baseball game. Nobody cares if you are consistently low or high with your strike zone, just as long as you are consistent. Batters and coaches can adjust. Unfortunately, electricity is that forgiving.

I always thought Backstabbing was not a good a connection as the screw, A past Inspector said it is as good, I always wanted to hook up 2 recepticles in series, one backstabbed and one on the screw terminals, then increase current until one blows open
To prove. One Day.
Don't know if code changed, but the white has to be pigtailed and 1 neutral connection on receptacle.
The hot could have one on one screw, then another hot to go elsewhere on the other screw, it used? To be allowed, but still prefer pigtail and 1 hot on receptacle.