circuit Breaker

[Tibz78]

Lighting was changed out in a gym to T8 high bay fixtures, the old lighting was MH 480 volts.
The gentlemen who did the work kept the old 2 pole breakers and just used one side.
I thought you couldn't do that? You should change the breakers out to a single pole breaker and also run the proper color conductor for the grounded conductor?
is there a code article that states that you must use a single pole cb for this application.

 

[jim dungar]

It is absolutely allowed by NEC and Listing agencies to use only 1-pole of a 2-pole breaker.
All circuits breakers are designed and tested using all combinations of poles.

 

[Tibz78]

These are the other issues, please correct me if I'm wrong. Article 200 covers use and identification of grounded conductors. In 200.6 A states that conductors #6 or smaller must be marked with a continuous white or gray outer finish. On 277/480 the color standard is a gray finish. Article 240.83 D, Is Breakers used as switches and what the requirements are CB's should be labeled SWD. 210.21 A Restricts the branch circuit rating to 20 amps for fluorescent lighting.

 

[augie47]

I think you definitely have a violation of 200.6, 210.21 could be addressed with supplemental over-current at the fixture.
Jim would probably know off the top of his head, but I would imagine the breakers might be SWD.

 

[jim dungar]

I think you definitely have a violation of 200.6, 210.21 could be addressed with supplemental over-current at the fixture.
Jim would probably know off the top of his head, but I would imagine the breakers might be SWD.

Technically SWD applies only to 15A and 20A 1-pole devices (think wall switches).

Because they are 2-pole, these may be HID rated (which also provides for switching duty).