I recently had an electrician install a ceiling fan with a light, specifically wanting it to be controlled separately using a Lutron Maestro dimmer. However, he used a 14/2 armored wire instead of the required 14/3. Since the Lutron dimmer doesn't need a neutral, he connected everything up like this: 1. Used the green ground wire (insulated) and wrapped black tape around it to send power to the fan. 2. The black wire powers the light. 3. The neutral connects directly to the fan. When I asked him if using a ground wire as a hot wire was safe or up to code, he said it was fine and mentioned something about grounding to the armor. I'm worried about safety and whether this setup is really compliant with electrical codes. Can using the ground wire as hot lead to hazards?
3 Answers
What did your inspector say about all of this? I'm guessing they wouldn't pass this setup since it's not to code. It's not just about whether it works; it's about doing it safely and correctly!
You should definitely have it inspected. Better safe than sorry!
The ground wire is not meant for carrying power; it’s just a safety measure. Sure, it might work for now, but you're essentially compromising safety. If you want peace of mind, consider installing a GFCI switch to add some protection. Please have a professional rewire it correctly.
Exactly! It's all about safety, and using a proper setup will help prevent any future accidents.
Only do things right when it comes to electricity. Don't take chances!
Honestly, using a ground wire as a hot wire is a big red flag. While it might work technically, it's definitely not up to code, and it could create serious risks. The ground is there for safety, and if something goes wrong, you could be in a dangerous situation. I'd strongly advise getting a qualified electrician to fix this properly.
Totally agree! Safety should always come first. No shortcuts when it comes to wiring.
Absolutely, it's better to have everything done by the book. You might want a second opinion!
The inspector hasn't checked yet, but I'm getting nervous reading all this.