80% Rule

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Mike Furlan

Member
Location
Lemont Il
Dennis Alwon said:
I am not sure it is a violation if the nameplate is 125volts as Bob had suggested.



I often wondered why many light fixtures had a UL approval-- I will probably never know why.

I see no problem with it. We are splitting hairs with .5 amps and the voltages-- I don't see that as an issue but....
The reality is an office generally has 20 amp circuits, however to approve these heaters on that scale would be a mistake unless a separate cir (20amp) were run to each of the units.

Here are the specs on the first one that came up in a google search, similar to the item up for approval:

Specifications:
Dimensions: 8.7 x 8.7 x 11.4 Inches
Input: 120 Volts, 60 Hz.
Current, Maximum Continuous Draw: 12.5 Amps
Watts: 650/1,000/1,500
5200 BTU's
Tip-Over Switch, Auto Overheat Protection, And Cool-To-The-Touch Housing
Plug Type: NEMA
 

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
Mike Furlan said:
Here are the specs on the first one that came up in a google search, similar to the item up for approval:

It does seem odd that it was approved as such. I bet you can get these and disconnect the 1500 watt choice on the selectors switch leaving you with no more than a 100 watt heater. It would be a real pain but they would ease your concerns.
 

jrannis

Senior Member
Ive been through this,
If you are in a position of authority or have the ear of such a person,

  1. Demand to check in each heater
  2. Put a peice of orange or purple tape near the cord cap and initial it
  3. Maximum rating allowed would be 1200-1250 watts
 

realolman

Senior Member
Mike Furlan said:
It is a ceramic heater for office use.

And it could end up being a lot of them, hundreds.

I think don't approve it if you are not comfortable with it. You're not going to lose as much sleep over somebody's tootsies being a little cold, as you are if something worse happens.

Granted it might be splitting hairs... there's seldom any of that where code questions are concerned.;) But. there's always a cut off point somewhere.

If there's going to be that many, sounds like it might be time for a heating system upgrade anyway. Your concerns might tip the scales.
 

jbfan74

Senior Member
Location
Newnan Ga
Do what I do. The first trip to reset the breaker, you get a warning to take the heater home. The next trip results in a cut off cord. I have the full backing of my boss, and the saftey guy.
Portable heaters are allowed in only 3 place in our building, at the guard stations by each door.
I also have a nice collection of dollar store cords used for coffee pots.
 

benaround

Senior Member
Location
Arizona
Mike,

This heating unit can be installed on a 15a individual circuit and be NEC

compliant. It can be installed on a 20a recpt. circuit that 15a recpts are

allowed to be installed, NEC compliant. The buyer of these units should be

informed, via manafactures instructions included with each unit, that 15a

recpt. circuits should not be used while using the maximum wattage.

If a similar instruction was included, would you then approve the unit?
 

Mike Furlan

Member
Location
Lemont Il
benaround said:
Mike,

This heating unit can be installed on a 15a individual circuit and be NEC

compliant. It can be installed on a 20a recpt. circuit that 15a recpts are

allowed to be installed, NEC compliant. The buyer of these units should be

informed, via manafactures instructions included with each unit, that 15a

recpt. circuits should not be used while using the maximum wattage.

If a similar instruction was included, would you then approve the unit?


Good suggestion.

It is possible to use this equipment safely.

I'll see if the comittee goes for this idea.
 

Awg-Dawg

Senior Member
Location
Dayton Ohio
jbfan74 said:
Do what I do. The first trip to reset the breaker, you get a warning to take the heater home. The next trip results in a cut off cord. I have the full backing of my boss, and the saftey guy.
Portable heaters are allowed in only 3 place in our building, at the guard stations by each door.


You could just turn the thermostat up.:D
 
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