Lighting Controllers Question

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chazbolin

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Location
san diego
Am I missing something here? I don't see this plug configuration in the NEMA charts. I'm thinking it's got to be something that China cooked up. Anyway as you can see the plug is a combination 5-15R and a 6-15R on the same opening. Now I know P&S makes a combination duplex receptacle that is 1/2 5-15R and the other side is 6-15R but in this case they are the same opening. Can anyone point me to NEC code that would prohibit the use of these products?

http://www.autopilotcontrollers.com/Lighting-Controllers

http://sunlightsupply.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/product/702825_Helios12-Instructions.pdf

http://www.legrand.us/passandseymour/receptacles/fed-spec-grade/hard-use/5890.aspx#.VFPIkBZvlI0

I appreciate all thoughts and comments on this. I don't want to see anyone get hurt.
 

jumper

Senior Member
Those wacky universal x receptacles are not listed, UL or such that most AHJs would find acceptable.

406.3 Receptacle Rating and Type.
(A) Receptacles. Receptacles shall be listed and marked
with the manufacturer?s name or identification and voltage
and ampere ratings.
 

GoldDigger

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Placerville, CA, USA
Occupation
Retired PV System Designer
If the ballasts are not intended to plug into simple receptacles, I can see a special purpose receptacle type being permitted.
If the intent of the receptacle is to allow almost anything into the controller, I do not like it, but it is probably governed only by UL and not NEC.
 

chazbolin

Member
Location
san diego
Those wacky universal x receptacles are not listed, UL or such that most AHJs would find acceptable.

406.3 Receptacle Rating and Type.
(A) Receptacles. Receptacles shall be listed and marked
with the manufacturer?s name or identification and voltage
and ampere ratings.

They go on to sell this device on their site. I am finding this really hard to believe. You'd need a wiggins prior to plugging anything in!

https://www.sunlightsupply.com/shop/bycategory/lighting-components/duplex-receptacle-universal
 

chazbolin

Member
Location
san diego
But would a retailer like Walmart be selling something like this if it represented a safety hazard and lacked 3rd party certification? Not likely. It seems like the hydroponic shops selling this crap have no regard to safety and that's what I told the customer when he asked me to install it.
 

Rampage_Rick

Senior Member
UL has flagged such a beast already. I guess a different factory started churning them out in white now...

http://ul.com/newsroom/publicnotices/ul-warns-of-potentially-hazardous-receptacle-release-13pn-05/

The following is a notification from UL to consumers, electrical installers and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) that the duplex receptacle identified below may pose a fire or shock hazard. The receptacle does not comply with UL?s safety requirements and is not authorized to bear the UL Mark. The receptacle is employed in lighting controllers sold for use in greenhouses, indoor gardening and hydroponics applications. The receptacles may also have been sold individually.

Hazard: The receptacle can accept plugs for either 120 or 240 volt products. A potential fire or shock hazard exists if the receptacle is not wired to match the voltage rating of the device plugged into the receptacle.
 
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