In general, switches shall switch which conductor?

In general, switches shall switch which conductor?

• A. Grounded
• B. Ungrounded
• C. Either
• D. Neither

Answer: (B)

Switches are used to interrupt the path that could energize a load. The conductor that carries current in normal operation—the ungrounded (hot) conductor—should be the one that the switch breaks. This ensures that when the switch is OFF, the device is truly de-energized and safe to touch. The grounded conductor (neutral) is bonded to earth at the service and can still carry current or create unexpected conditions if opened, so switching it would leave parts of the circuit potentially energized relative to ground. The equipment grounding conductor is a safety path for fault currents and is not intended to carry normal current, so it should not be switched. For these reasons, the switch should interrupt the ungrounded conductor.

Switches are used to interrupt the path that could energize a load. The conductor that carries current in normal operation—the ungrounded (hot) conductor—should be the one that the switch breaks. This ensures that when the switch is OFF, the device is truly de-energized and safe to touch. The grounded conductor (neutral) is bonded to earth at the service and can still carry current or create unexpected conditions if opened, so switching it would leave parts of the circuit potentially energized relative to ground. The equipment grounding conductor is a safety path for fault currents and is not intended to carry normal current, so it should not be switched. For these reasons, the switch should interrupt the ungrounded conductor.