Long ago, I installed these same 1.8 watt led lites under the eves, 4 in front, 4 in the back, to lite up the sidewalks all around the house. I just connected them to the 2 outside porch lite 120v circuits. At a total of 15 watts, I figured to just leave them on all the time, so that when we came hope late, we wouldn't be in the dark.But that didn't work good because DW kept turning them off in the daytime, and we really would get caught walking in the dark. After repeated warnings didn't help a bit, I'd had enuff,....and w/o a 2nd thought, I pulled the 2 switches out, wire nutted the wires together, and put the switches back in. All has worked great ever since. Now, after getting hammered in the other thread, how much trouble am in here. I never thought to question if code even requires a light circuit to even have a switch. All I thought is, the situation was broke, and I fixed it. And I believe it is safe.But as in the other thread, talk of sticking your finger in a lite socket,.....???. isn't that something my mamma taught me not to do many moons ago ? :)

No you do not need to have a circuit switched. You just can't have a circuit with the neutral switched.

Tempted to do the same at my house.Wife always switches off the outside porch light when letting the dogs in, but it is a motion sensor light and switch must always be on...

I would replace the switch with a timer. Doubt you would save enough electric to pay for the timer. Does make the house look "lived in" so I add it to the illusion of security. Also consider a day/night sensor or a motion sensor.Codes requires a switch... No idea. My city does require a dimmer if using incandescent lamps.

I would say put them on a timer switch, but at 15 watts, it would take decades to pay for itself. I would remove the switch and put a blank plate on it.

Put a piece of tape over the switch. A discussion with DW about why not to turn off the switch, and how long it takes for broken fingers to heal might help. Or not...

Another Elec Tech Question #2 | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jan 21, 2016
You have a switch, Properly installed in the HOT lead. it's called a Fuse or Circuit breaker and it's in your main power box.

So you are covered.
red31
Explorer
Jan 20, 2016
Bobbo wrote:
Remember, the issue is that someone else working on your circuit will turn off the switch and trust the light to not be hot.

I learned the oven switch only shuts off one hot!
time2roll
Nomad
Jan 20, 2016
Think of the hot as the hose and the neutral as the drain.

Turn off the hose and all stops. Stop up the drain and you have a mess.
Bobbo
Explorer III
Jan 20, 2016
Remember, the issue is that someone else working on your circuit will turn off the switch and trust the light to not be hot.

If you are switching the neutral, he is wrong and may be electrocuted.

If there is no switch, he will have to kill the breaker.

But, do take the disconnected switch out and put a blank plate there so he doesn't THINK he turned off the switch.
SaltiDawg
Explorer
Jan 20, 2016
Serves as a reminder

My wife and I use these on switches for outside lights that have motion sensor lights on them. Reminds both of us, no insult as the switch can be operated if one of us really wants to.
Hondavalk
Explorer II
Jan 20, 2016
RJsfishin wrote:
Yes, I am amazed that my bypassing the switch is ok.
So in the other thread I got hammered for the black wire to be hot all the time,.......or was it just for switching the white instead of the black,..... and in this thread it is perfectly fine for the black to be hot all the time.

And in defense of some, and disagreement w/ others,....wives are not all the same. Mine has this mindset that if a lite is burning, it must be costing money,....wattage meaning nothing to her, and no explaining it either. So yes, in some cases I have to treat her like a kid,.....and its working :)

Thanks for all elect information, even tho IMO some of the codes defy common sense.

Yes the concern was only for switching the white (neutral) wire. Electricity is always ready to follow the easiest path to ground just as water wants to flow along the easiest path. With the neutral switched off there is a potential for you to become that path.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Jan 20, 2016
Yes, I am amazed that my bypassing the switch is ok.
So in the other thread I got hammered for the black wire to be hot all the time,.......or was it just for switching the white instead of the black,..... and in this thread it is perfectly fine for the black to be hot all the time.

And in defense of some, and disagreement w/ others,....wives are not all the same. Mine has this mindset that if a lite is burning, it must be costing money,....wattage meaning nothing to her, and no explaining it either. So yes, in some cases I have to treat her like a kid,.....and its working :)

Thanks for all elect information, even tho IMO some of the codes defy common sense.
westend
Explorer
Jan 20, 2016
In before the lock--Guys, we can have differences of opinions and, for myself, find it interesting if they are intensely stated. There's no need for name calling or derision.

RJ found his solution, evidently, and he just wanted an affirmation that what he did was OK. Carry on.
azrving
Explorer
Jan 19, 2016
Gdetrailer wrote:
rjxj wrote:
One choice

Hide the screwdrivers from her

Umm.. what can I say but WOW..

So, you are suggesting one should treat their spouse like a little kid?

That is just nuts.

Not everyone gets it or understands certain ideas like having some outdoor lighting.. Sometimes the other half may not feel as strong about having a few small lights on outdoors around the property..

Instead of treating that person like they are your enemy like secretly disconnecting a switch, putting child covers over switches or even using keyed switches like is used in schools and businesses you COULD do the "grown up" approach and SIMPLIFY the setup.

You simply AUTOMATE your outdoor lighting by using a timer or as I showed a Dusk to dawn sensor..

Once installed a dusk to dawn sensor is a "set and forget" simple way to control the lights..

No fights, no hiding, no covering..

Holy mackeral, relax, it's a **** gizmo so no one bumps the switch or forgets and shuts it off by accident. You didn't even read the op post. HE already said HE went and wire nutted it together to get around her. Duuuhhh. Geez what time of the month is it for you? I can see why you dont accept PM. Too many people would be sending you messages that you are a moron.
Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Jan 19, 2016
rjxj wrote:
One choice

Hide the screwdrivers from her

Umm.. what can I say but WOW..

So, you are suggesting one should treat their spouse like a little kid?

That is just nuts.

Not everyone gets it or understands certain ideas like having some outdoor lighting.. Sometimes the other half may not feel as strong about having a few small lights on outdoors around the property..

Instead of treating that person like they are your enemy like secretly disconnecting a switch, putting child covers over switches or even using keyed switches like is used in schools and businesses you COULD do the "grown up" approach and SIMPLIFY the setup.

You simply AUTOMATE your outdoor lighting by using a timer or as I showed a Dusk to dawn sensor..

Once installed a dusk to dawn sensor is a "set and forget" simple way to control the lights..

No fights, no hiding, no covering..