Hello all,
I was wondering how smart (or not) is it to install a switchplate made of copper? I know light switches are supposed to be grounded, but in the event of a fault, copper is a pretty good conducter, after all. I was considering these switchplates.
Do they have to be UL listed?
Thanks!
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I'm not sure whether switch plates need to be UL listed or not - that's an interesting question.
But certainly there are a lot of metal plates out there (think of surface mounted boxes) so I see no reason why there would be anything wrong with copper ones.
BTW, I believe that the cover is grounded by virtue of the screw holding it on, as long as the screw is tight to the plate.
With the size of material that you are talking about and the closeness to the wiring the conductivity of the copper vs chrome vs stainless steel is meaningless. And all are used.
Look at a comercial application (schools) and you will see tons of chrome or SS ones.
That is why switches are now grounded.
Don't say any of that too loud. Before you know it there will be a code change and a bonding pigtail on all metal switchplates. ;-)
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I does not matter that it is made of copper. Same risk (or lack thereof) as any other metal plate.