Lights and Receptacles On Same Circuit

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north star

Senior Member
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inside Area 51
: - :

I have an existing Comm bldg. that has added a very small
office space to it, ...maybe 130-150 sq. ft. at the most.
Originally, the existing Comm. bldg. had 2 separate, exterior
GFCI rated receptacles, for an exterior application......The
new office space has enclosed the 2 GFCI rated receptacles
and added couple of more on to a 15 amp circuit.

I recently went to perform a Final inspection on the project,
and the EC has tied the existing GFCI rated receptacles,
...added 2 more and 2 separate fluorescent lighting fixtures
on to the one existing 15 amp. circuit.

I red tagged the installation for not having a separate lighting
circuit than the receptacle circuit......Now the EC is crying foul,
that it would cost him lots of money, time, blah, blah, blah to
go back and separate the 2 circuits......FWIW, I even asked
the EC directly if the NEC required that 2 circuits are required
for this application.....He acknowledged that it [ the NEC ] did
require 2 separate circuits......The bldg. owner called recently
and stated that they would remove 2 of the receptacles on the
15 amp. circuit and install a cover plate over the junction boxes.

My questions are: 1: What Articles require the separate
circuits?, ...2: Can this EC leave the install as is, with one OCPD
controlling the 2 lighting fixtures and the 4 receptacles?

As is the norm, ...this project has political attachments and they
will go over my head "Johnny Quick" if I cannot cite Article &
verse as to why the EC now has to go back to fix his mistake.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

: - :

 
Dennis Alwon

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
There is nothing in the NEC that requires a lighting cir to be separate from a receptacle cir. As long as the load is fine then it is compliant
 
480sparky

480sparky

Senior Member
Location
Iowegia
The NEC doesn't require any separation. You may, however, have local electrical, building or fire codes that require it.

Simply ask the inspector for a Code reference. It's that easy to find out.
 
A/A Fuel GTX

A/A Fuel GTX

Senior Member
Location
WI & AZ
Occupation
Electrician
I'd say the four receptacles and two light fixtures on a 15A circuit is fine. The four receptacles are figured at 180VA each which is only 6 amps. What size are the fluorescent fixtures?
 
N

north star

Senior Member
Location
inside Area 51
: - :

Much thanks to you all for the input! :happyyes:

True, ...I am the AHJ inspector!.....I could be
totally wrong on the separation requirements
for the receptacles and the lights, but the EC
DID acknowledge the NEC requirement.

If I understand the input so far, ...there would
not be a a lot of concern as long as the circuit
was not overloaded by these minimal electrical
components?

FWIW, ...there will be a small very refrigerator
plugged in continuously in to one of the
receptacles, ...more load on the circuit.

As far as asking the EC for load calcs. on the
lighting fixtures, I do not know if I have that
much latitude to ask for it........As much as I
would like to have a set to review, realistically,
it's a [ politically ] sensitive issue.

: - :
 
Dennis Alwon

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
I bet even with the refrigerator it would calculate out as okay. Personally I feel it is a bad install but compliant. Fluorescents don't really draw that much
 
480sparky

480sparky

Senior Member
Location
Iowegia
A/A Fuel GTX said:
He IS the inspector:p
Click to expand...

Then HE should supply a Code reference to back up the red tag.
krakrani.gif
 
Dennis Alwon

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
480sparky said:
Then HE should supply a Code reference to back up the red tag.
krakrani.gif
Click to expand...
Perhaps he should but North Star is one of the good guys who is always trying to better himself. Not all inspectors give code articles esp. those that are inspecting all the trades. It is an impossible job imo.
 
charlie b

charlie b

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Lockport, IL
Occupation
Retired Electrical Engineer
The notion of an NEC prohibition against lights and receptacles on the same circuit probably did not come to you out of the blue. There are two instances in which this would be prohibited. But both are applicable only to dwelling units. The "small appliance circuits" are for receptacles only. There can be no lights on those circuits (or smoke detectors or any other type of outlet). Also, if you have receptacles in two or more bathrooms sharing a circuit, then you can't put lights (or any other type of outlet) on that circuit either.
 
Dennis Alwon

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
Actually for commercial jobs I believe since the norm is to separate the lights from receptacles many people think that it must be the case. Also many also believe that 14 gauge wire is not allowed there.
 
B

brother

Senior Member
Location
"I have learned, in whatsoever STATE I am, therewi
north star said:
: - :

Much thanks to you all for the input! :happyyes:

True, ...I am the AHJ inspector!.....I could be
totally wrong on the separation requirements
for the receptacles and the lights, but the EC
DID acknowledge the NEC requirement.

If I understand the input so far, ...there would
not be a a lot of concern as long as the circuit
was not overloaded by these minimal electrical
components?

FWIW, ...there will be a small very refrigerator
plugged in continuously in to one of the
receptacles, ...more load on the circuit.

As far as asking the EC for load calcs. on the
lighting fixtures, I do not know if I have that
much latitude to ask for it........As much as I
would like to have a set to review, realistically,
it's a [ politically ] sensitive issue.

: - :
Click to expand...

I know you are here to learn just like the rest of us, but I have to sound a little harsh. If you are an inspector/AHJ and want to red tag a job that will cost a EC alot of money and its a political issue, then you should already have a code article to back you up before that 'gun is pulled from the holster', much less trying to pull the trigger. Other wise its best to leave it alone.

As others have stated, there really isn't an issue here unless the load is too much.
 
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