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    mjbconcrete's Avatar
    mjbconcrete Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jun 12, 2011, 06:59 PM
    White wire is hot in the switch box. How do I supplu other switches in the same box
    It seems the power and neutral are in the light box. I have 3 other devices I need power for in the switch box. Can I use the ground as the nuetral so I can get a the current to travel. I will not have a ground from this point on since I will use it for the nuetral. Is this okay to do. It seems I have done it before but in the actual panel...

    Thanks, mike
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #2

    Jun 12, 2011, 07:15 PM

    This is absolutely 1000% NOT OK to do!!

    What wires are in the switch box? If just black and white then you'll have to find another source to feed the new switches.
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #3

    Jun 12, 2011, 07:17 PM

    No, you cannot use the ground as a neutral. Based on the wording of your post I think you should just tell us what you are trying to do and let someone tell you how to do it.
    mjbconcrete's Avatar
    mjbconcrete Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Jun 12, 2011, 07:25 PM
    Yes, In the box I have a black, white, and a ground. The white wire is hot and the black is the loop back to the light. The light box has the feeder. What I want to do is supply power to a fan that I have installed in the switch box but the only power that's there is the white hot wire. I just got the sheetrock finished not knowing that it was wired this way. What's the beest way to get power here?

    Thanks
    mjbconcrete's Avatar
    mjbconcrete Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Jun 12, 2011, 07:28 PM
    Comment on hkstroud's post
    Yes, In the box I have a black, white, and a ground. The white wire is hot and the black is the loop back to the light. The light box has the feeder. What I want to do is supply power to a fan that I have installed in the switch box but the only power that's there is the white hot wire. I just got the sheetrock finished not knowing that it was wired this way. What's the beest way to get power here?

    Thanks
    mjbconcrete's Avatar
    mjbconcrete Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Jun 12, 2011, 07:46 PM
    Comment on stanfortyman's post
    Yes, In the box I have a black, white, and a ground. The white wire is hot and the black is the loop back to the light. The light box has the feeder. What I want to do is supply power to a fan that I have installed in the switch box but the only power that's there is the white hot wire. I just got the sheetrock finished not knowing that it was wired this way. What's the beest way to get power here?

    Thanks
    donf's Avatar
    donf Posts: 5,679, Reputation: 582
    Printers & Electronics Expert
    		  
    #7

    Jun 12, 2011, 07:53 PM

    Okay, first and foremost, the white wire is Not Neutral! Switches do not usually require a Neutral. 2011 NEC requires that a neutral now be brought to the switch outlet box in case it is needed by a speciality switch.

    It is part of a "Switch Loop". The loop is made off the power supply wire (constant hot). Using a two wire (Black/White with ground) you attach the white conductor to the main supply black conductor. Then you permanently mark that conductor at both ends and anywhere it might be visible with a black or red marker, paint or tape to signify that this conductor has been retasked to carry power.

    According to code, the white or gray conductor can only carry power away from the connection to the main supply. The black conductor can only return the power to the device.

    Okay, so now, by way of the white (retasked) you have power at the switch box.

    You can take three short black conductors and wire nut them to the retasked white. This is called a pigtail.

    Each one of the new black conductors would feed each switch. It would now be necessary for you run an additional 3 wire (Black/Red/White) to the switches so that black and red can return power to the devices. The white in that cable can be capped off at both ends.
    mjbconcrete's Avatar
    mjbconcrete Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #8

    Jun 12, 2011, 08:11 PM
    Comment on donf's post
    I think I follow you. Use what I have for the power and jump the other devices. Im thinking I will have to do the same for the return. I'll give it a go. It won't be the first time I got bit.
    Thanks for the help
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #9

    Jun 12, 2011, 09:39 PM

    If I understand yor post correctly you have power being fed to the ceiling box with a switch loop going to the switch box. One wire of that switch cable (the white) carries power to the switch. The other wire (black) takes power back to the light fixture. You do not have a neutral wire at the switch location. You cannot use the ground as a neutral.

    You must rewire with 3-conductor cable or or pull another 2-wire cable from the ceiling box so that you will have a neutral at the switch location.

    PS. Not sure what you mean by "fan that I have installed in the switch box "
    donf's Avatar
    donf Posts: 5,679, Reputation: 582
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    #10

    Jun 13, 2011, 12:16 PM

    Are you just trying to feed the fan and light? I thought you said you wanted to add two additional switches, that's why I told you that you needed to add a 3 wire return.

    If you only want the fan and the light, then Hank is correct, just run the 3 wire cable. White to carry power to the switches. Black - returns to the fan. Red returns to the light.
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