- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
This question came up on another forum. If it is not, then dwelling unit smoke alarms would not have to be on AFCI protected circuits.
This question came up on another forum. If it is not, then dwelling unit smoke alarms would not have to be on AFCI protected circuits.
Utilization Equipment. Equipment that utilizes electric
energy for electronic, electromechanical, chemical, heating,
lighting, or similar purposes.
The rule says that the branch circuits that serve "outlets" must have AFCI protection. The definition of "outlet" says that is the point where power is taken to supply utilization equipment.....
Edit: I don't see the term "utilization equipment" in the definition or requirements for AFCI. At least not in the 2008.
The rule says that the branch circuits that serve "outlets" must have AFCI protection. The definition of "outlet" says that is the point where power is taken to supply utilization equipment.
IMHO Yes, a smoke alarm is Utilization Equipment as defined in Article 100.
A smoke alarm utilizes electrical energy to power an electronic circuit that detects small particles of combustion in the air to determine if a fire is present and then acts to announce the presence of a fire to the occupants of the building.
The J-box where the smoke alarm is connected would be an outlet.
Chris
IMHO Yes, a smoke alarm is Utilization Equipment as defined in Article 100.
A smoke alarm utilizes electrical energy to power an electronic circuit that detects small particles of combustion in the air to determine if a fire is present and then acts to announce the presence of a fire to the occupants of the building.
The J-box where the smoke alarm is connected would be an outlet.
Chris
I would agree
I will agree also, but mostly because Chris smarter than me and rarely wrong, a freebie.
Whenever I am proved wrong, I am the first to admit that was what I said originally and I was just misunderstood.I am wrong all the time, I'm just good at hiding it.
Chris
Whenever I am proved wrong, I am the first to admit that was what I said originally and I was just misunderstood.
A marvelous book (Science Made Stupid) describes the Scientific Method and the difference between inductive and deductive methods as follows:Goldy, reread that sentence, it could easily be misconstrued.
This question came up on another forum. If it is not, then dwelling unit smoke alarms would not have to be on AFCI protected circuits.
Yes but not at all what I intended to say.Goldy, let me clarify: Your previous statement could mean that if you are "proved wrong" it was because somebody "misunderstood" what you were saying.
Let me edit the clauses a bit different:
"Whenever I am proved wrong,..... I was just misunderstood. "
A bit clearer?
I tend to agree that the smoke alarms are utilization equipment, but have argued the opposite for industrial instrumentation for the purposes of the Exception to 501.30(B).
Is "power utilization equipment" different from "utilization equipment"?
The exeption I cited uses those words.Without me delving into 501, what is your reference/UL section/etc for such a distinction?
It has been a common practice around here to use the LFMC as the EGC for 120 volt powered instrumentation.(B) Types of Equipment Grounding Conductors. Flexible metal conduit and liquidtight flexible metal conduit shall include an equipment bonding jumper of the wire type in compliance with 250.102.
Exception: In Class I, Division 2 locations, the bonding jumper shall be permitted to be deleted where all of the following conditions are met:
(1) Listed liquidtight flexible metal conduit 1.8 m (6 ft) or less in length, with fittings listed for grounding, is used.
(2) Overcurrent protection in the circuit is limited to 10 amperes or less.
(3) The load is not a power utilization load.
IMO, power utilization equipment is just a type of utilization equipmentIs "power utilization equipment" different from "utilization equipment"?
The exeption I cited uses those words.
It has been a common practice around here to use the LFMC as the EGC for 120 volt powered instrumentation.