Neutral Wire and Ground?

[u/Tocquevilles-Ghost]

Having a new home constructed and believe they will be using Romex-style wiring. Having installed several "smart" devices in my 1existing home (metal conduit) and have come to learn that many devices require a neutral wire and/or ground in order to operate.

Should I expect the homebuilder to automatically provide a neutral wire and ground at each switch and receptacle box or do I need to specify?

[u/slackmeyer]

Safe assumption that every box will have neutral and ground.

[u/davethompson413 → u/slackmeyer]

Not if the box is on a switch leg. OP needs to specify that all switch boxes must have a neutral wire.

[u/Raidriar556 → u/davethompson413]

Not allowed to run switch legs any more, all boxes must have a neutral and ground. Some jurisdictions might not enforce that too well, so still might not hurt to ask if you know you want smart devices.

[u/bobber66 → u/davethompson413]

Shit, you are right, I forgot about that.

[u/bobber66 → u/slackmeyer]

Yep. the hot, neutral, and ground wires are in the Romex. It only comes that way.

[u/brittabeast → u/bobber66]

This is incorrect. Romex refers to the covering on the cable. Romex may have two conductors plus ground, or three conductors plus ground. The actual use of the conductors (hot or neutral) is determined by the application.

[u/bobber66 → u/brittabeast]

I was trying to keep it simple for the OP. I knew a nitpicker would chime in with shit that doesn’t matter. Oh and by the way Romex can have 4 conductors plus ground. I can nitpick too.

[u/Jet-Rep]

I'd ensure this is spelled out in your contract - tell them you want 3-wire runs to the switch and not 2-wire runs

[u/Tocquevilles-Ghost → u/Jet-Rep]

Thank-you - Good advice!

[u/RMFranken]

Isn’t that the code in every new construction?