Section 404.2(A) NEC requires switching be done only in the ___ conductor.

Section 404.2(A) NEC requires switching be done only in the ___ conductor.

• A. designated
• B. ungrounded
• C. grounded
• D. grounding

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that switches are meant to interrupt the current-carrying path, so they must break the ungrounded conductor—the hot wire. When you turn a switch off, you want the entire load section to be de-energized, which is achieved by opening the hot conductor. The grounded conductor (the neutral) is bonded to the system at the service and provides the return path; it should remain connected and not be switched, so the circuit isn’t left in a partially energized state. The equipment grounding conductor is there for fault protection and also should not be switched. A practical reminder: in a typical light switch, the hot feed is disconnected, while the neutral stays tied through the fixture. If you switched the neutral instead, the hot could still be live at the fixture or switch, creating shock hazards.

The key idea is that switches are meant to interrupt the current-carrying path, so they must break the ungrounded conductor—the hot wire. When you turn a switch off, you want the entire load section to be de-energized, which is achieved by opening the hot conductor. The grounded conductor (the neutral) is bonded to the system at the service and provides the return path; it should remain connected and not be switched, so the circuit isn’t left in a partially energized state. The equipment grounding conductor is there for fault protection and also should not be switched. A practical reminder: in a typical light switch, the hot feed is disconnected, while the neutral stays tied through the fixture. If you switched the neutral instead, the hot could still be live at the fixture or switch, creating shock hazards.