First just a little background: Years ago I replaced electric baseboard radiators with an oil boiler and hot water baseboard system. All the line voltage wiring was, of course, disconnected from the electric panel and made dead. Thermostst locations stayed the same and we used the pre-existing romex as control wire into the unfinished basement where we connected thermostat wire which we took to the boiler (we also pig-tailed thermostat wire to connect to the new thermostats). So I have a two wire thermostat wire rough-in.
Now I want to install new thermostats that require three wires (Z-Wave thermostats, for remote control) and my question is this: can I use the unused ground wire as the required C wire, a live 24V wire to power the new stat. My concern is it’s a “bare” wire but not really as it’s inside the romex housing. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Replies
Yes, you could use the "ground" wire.
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe