"William Underhill" wrote in message
news:0XZmi.126438$NV3.56571@pd7urf2no...
Marilyn & Bob wrote:
We have a half a dozen X-10 type wall switches controlling CF bulbs. CF
bulbs require special X-10 type switches that need both a hot and a
neutral
input. In all but one case the switch box has the neutral wire, but in
one
case it does not. That switch controls a track light system with five
lights. Currently, I have a regular X-10 switch in that box and use one
or
two incandescent bulbs out of the five and it works fine. Still I would
like to run all five bulbs as CF, so I need the special switch. The
switch
box is grounded (BX cable) but has not neutral. In this special case
that
requires very little current for very short periods, can I safely connect
the neutral terminal on a switch to the ground? As an analogy, lighted
switches use the ground as the "return" circuit, but the current demand,
while longer term is very low.

A very bad idea! Not legal and not electrically safe. I'm thinking this
switch is on the far side of a light switch, so the black comes to the
switch and the white is used as a black to go back to the light fixture.
If so, you need to pull a 3-conductor line to provide the neutral.

It is true it is not code and not recommended to use the ground as a neutral
in order to allow the electronics in an X-10 switch to operate. While the
code does not allow such uses of the ground in a switch, it conveniently
allows the ground to be used as a neutral in older wiring of clothes dryers,
where one touches the metal chassis and handles wet clothes next to a washer
full of water. A serious contradiction in safety and usage of the ground
wire.