Switches and Receptacles: Articles 404 and 406 (2026 — Snap Switches Now Live in 406 Part III)
"Receptacles and Switches" is the first sub-topic of the Equipment & Devices area; the Residential Wireman exam has 12 items in this area, more than any other. Edition alert: the 2026 NEC moved the snap-switch rules (ratings, mounting, grounding, faceplates) out of Article 404 into a new Article 406 Part III (406.30–406.50). Article 404 keeps the circuit-level rules (grounded conductors, enclosures, accessibility, indicating, breakers as switches). Written from the 2026 text.
NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, 2026 edition · Reviewed 2026-09-19
"Receptacles and Switches" is the first sub-topic of the Equipment & Devices area; the Residential Wireman exam has 12 items in this area, more than any other. Edition alert: the 2026 NEC moved the snap-switch rules (ratings, mounting, grounding, faceplates) out of Article 404 into a new Article 406 Part III (406.30–406.50). Article 404 keeps the circuit-level rules (grounded conductors, enclosures, accessibility, indicating, breakers as switches). Written from the 2026 text.
1. Article 404 — switching the right conductor
- 404.2(A): three-way and four-way switches are wired so that all switching is done only in the ungrounded conductor. Switch loops need no grounded conductor.
- 404.2(B): switches shall not disconnect the grounded conductor unless the switch opens all conductors of the circuit at once (or the grounded one cannot open until the ungrounded ones have).
- 404.2(C): a grounded (neutral) conductor is provided at every switch location that controls a lighting load on a grounded general-purpose branch circuit — so that electronic switches (occupancy sensors, timers, smart switches) have a return path. Exceptions: the switch box is fed by a raceway with room for a future neutral; the cable enters through a framing cavity open at the top or bottom on the same floor, or through a wall/floor/ceiling unfinished on one side; the switch does not serve a habitable room or bathroom; multiple locations for the same load where one location has the neutral; automatic control with a listed device needing no neutral; switches controlling receptacle loads. Where a device needs line-to-neutral voltage, the neutral is extended to it.
- 404.3(B): switch and OCPD enclosures are not junction boxes or raceways for feed-through/tap conductors unless they comply with 312.11 (40 % / 75 % fill).
- 404.4: surface-mounted switch in a wet location → weatherproof enclosure; flush → weatherproof cover; no switch inside a tub or shower space unless part of a listed tub/shower assembly (see the 3-ft/8-ft zone in §4).
- 404.7 indicating: general-use and motor-circui
This is where the public part ends.
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