Wiring switches in Ontario

demandrew

Hello all, I'm doing some minor electrical work and I wanted your opinion on light switches. I'm thinking here of either having a switch-leg drop from the light or bringing power to the switch first and then to the light. Are both methods considered equal as far as the province of Ontario is concerned? Which method do you prefer and why or does it mostly depend on the distances of wiring that are involved?

rjniles

I have no knowledge of the CEC requirements but my preferred method is to bring power to the switch box. This gives me a neutral in case I ever want to add a timer or a device requiring a neutral.

Having a neutral in the switch box is also a requirement of the NEC 2011 update.

__________________
Location:
Coastal South Carolina

darren

You can do either way and it will meet code. I also recommend to bring the power to the switch first, then if you ever need the neutral you have it in the box. If it easier to do switch legs and it is not far it wouldn't hurt to use a piece of 3 wire for your switch loop and then you have a neutral there if you ever need it.

Wildie

In all my years of wiring I never considered which way was important. Code allows either way!

What is more convienient always was the deciding factor for me!

In a home, power can be looped from outlet to outlet and a switch leg dropped as required.
However, its sometimes convenient to retrofit a P&S combination recept/switch if a neutral is available in a switch box.
Guess its 6 of one and half dozen of the other.

demandrew

Thank you for your helpful replies. I think I will opt for putting power through the switch first, but it's good to know that both methods are code compliant. I like the idea of having a neutral wire in there for future possibilities, and it will also mean one less wire running up through my ceiling.