NEC Question

Inspector507 · Mar 14, 2004

I would prefer to push the switch the direction I'm walking. Push to turn on coming in, push to turn off going out.
I also would put whichever light I use the most on top.

moeh1 · Mar 14, 2004

Here in NY the inspectors want the ground up. I t may not be explicit code, but all my (hundred plus) new commerical 20 A fixtures are all stamped "Top" on the ground up end. I should know, I put them all in... Good news is I'll always be able to find an outlet without looking too hard. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Bird · Mar 14, 2004

This has been an interesting thread. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I, too, always put the ground on the bottom on electric plugs, and it's been so long since I had a horizontal light switch that I don't remember which way was on and which was off. But the thing that always annoyed me was a lack of consistency with switches. We're in a mobile home now and there's a double light switch just inside both the front door and the back door; one for the outside porch light and one for the indoor light. Now I always figured the one nearest the door should be the outside light, and that's the way the switches are at the front door, but at the back door, it's the other way around. And of course there's a double switch in each bathroom; one for the lights and one for the exhaust fan. Again I always figured the switch nearest the door should be the light switch, and that's the way it is in the front bathroom, but the other bathroom is the other way around. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif And we've only been here since the first of August so I haven't gotten around to changing them. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Junkman · Mar 14, 2004

( It is a matter of personal choice.

There is nothing in the NEC on the direction of sideway switches.

switches in the vertical position have to be off in the down position. )

What do you do with a 3 way switch????? When it is off, some times it is in the up position and some times it is in the down position and some times it is in the up position, depending on which switch you are standing in front of..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif....... and this drives me crazy /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

_RaT_ · Mar 14, 2004

Easy solution, purchase a Vantage system. I install them. Go to vantagecontrols.com for more info. For a mere $6000 to 10,000 more for a home, you can have the maximum utmost in home lighting. It can run the HVAC, audio/video, alarm, lawn sprinklers, all dimmable loads including dimmable flourescent, relay loads, works with any DIN rack systems and the dimmable SCR's go all the way down to 1%. It's a slick system and the up/down of alternate 3 way/4 way switches is eliminated. Each single gang box can be up to 8 switches. The programming is virtually unlimited. Plus, anytime you decide you want a switch to do something different or add/delete a switch, its a simple modification in the program called QLink. End that 3way 4way frustration now, check out Vantage. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

AndyM · Mar 15, 2004

What do you do with a 3 way switch????? When it is off, some times it is in the up position and some times it is in the down position and some times it is in the up position, depending on which switch you are standing in front of..... ....... and this drives me crazy 

Geez, and you think I'm a Fruit Loop?
Actually, I can't relax if one of the switches is up and one is down and the light is off. I've accepted that one of the switches is always going to be in the up position is the light is on, but both switches must be down if the light is off.

If they're not, I have to turn on the light, run downstairs and turn the light back off, and then run back upstairs in the dark.

Come to think of it, I guess I am kind of Loopy.

My father-in-law screws a light switch into the box which ever way he happens to be holding it when he picks it up. Several of the switches in his house have "on" in the down position. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I guess different things bother different people.

I feel like taking a screwdriver out and fixing it when we go visit them! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Is that a good thing to do while visiting your inlaws?

Inspector507 · Mar 15, 2004

So some of his switches say NO and FFO
instead of OFF and ON? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

_RaT_ · Mar 15, 2004

Those are European models.

billbobtlh · Mar 15, 2004

All the outlets on the gfi circuit breaker were installed by the guy that rewired our vacation home I have seen that elsewhere.

rockyridgefarm · Mar 29, 2004

I read this thread with some amusement the other day.

Who would EVER short out a recept like that,? I thought.

Got my first light show today...

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif