Quick 3-way switch question
#1
08-20-18, 08:03 PM
Quick 3-way switch question
Hi - just a simple question while replacing a very old 3-way switch. The old switch has no green ground screw. There are two cables coming into the metal electrical box. The ground wires from each cable go into a copper-colored clip, and then a pig tail goes from the copper clip to a silver clip on the metal box.
The new switch has a green grounding screw. Rather than undoing the existing grounded wires (that go to the metal clip), can I just ground the new switch to another green screw that I add to the box? Or do all of the grounds have to go to the same place?
The new switch has a green grounding screw. Rather than undoing the existing grounded wires (that go to the metal clip), can I just ground the new switch to another green screw that I add to the box? Or do all of the grounds have to go to the same place?
#2
08-20-18, 09:06 PM
Group Moderator
If the box is metal..... an additional ground to the switch is not necessary.
You could add a ground wire to a second green screw in the box if desired.
You could add a ground wire to a second green screw in the box if desired.
#3
09-09-18, 07:04 PM
1. Out of curiosity, why don’t you need to ground the switch if the box is metal? By no means am I disagreeing, just trying to learn.
2. If I do decide to ground the switch to the box with a separate wire, it can be on its own, right?....and doesn’t need to be tied into the other grounds right?
2. If I do decide to ground the switch to the box with a separate wire, it can be on its own, right?....and doesn’t need to be tied into the other grounds right?
#4
09-09-18, 07:15 PM
The switch saddle is grounded through the contact with the box and most switch togels are non conductive plastic. But IIRC if the cover plate is metal it must have a ground wire.
Yes, a seperate wire to the box can be used.
Yes, a seperate wire to the box can be used.
#5
09-09-18, 07:27 PM
Ahhh, gotcha. There’s actually a plastic spacer under the outlet’s screw to make it sit flush, so in that case the metal of the switch saddle doesn’t actually touch the metal of the box. Eh, I’ll just ground the switch to box to be on the safe side...no biggie.
#6
09-09-18, 08:13 PM
Group Moderator
Always better to be safe than sorry.
The biggest reason for ground screws on devices is the use of plastic boxes in which case they must be hard wire grounded.
The biggest reason for ground screws on devices is the use of plastic boxes in which case they must be hard wire grounded.
