Automatic Lighting Controls vs. NEC 110.26 (E)

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deedo1124

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Recently upgraded a large manufacturing facilities lighting from 400W HID to high bay flourescents with integral occupancy sensors. Everything went well and the areas looked great upon completion. Project will pay for itself in 2 years with energy savings since old lights burned 24/7/365. There were some grumblings from the union but we worked with supervisors and operators to move and/or add fixtures as needed to meet their concerns. Yesterday however an email from the local union safety rep stated that we are in violation of the 2011 NEC 110.26(E). Their arguement is that the areas must have manual overide controls since they are served by bus duct, there are local panelboards, and the manufacturing machines have control panels which periodically require maintenance. This section of the code was changed in 2011 as before it only required the manual overides in electrical equipment rooms. Since the 2011 code has not been adopted by our state I tried the card that we were working with the 2008 NEC, needless to say this argument didn't win. Anyone have any opinions on this? Is an occupancy sensor considered automatic controls? It does require movement of a person to activate the light. I think the main reason for the complaint is that the fixtures were installed by an outside contracter and not the UAW skilled trades.

Thanks for your input.
 
jumper

jumper

Senior Member
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This is the panel statement from the ROP for the change.

I would say you are not meeting the original intent as they use the word clarifies.

Panel Statement: The revision meets the submitter’s concerns and clarifies
that the illumination is for all working spaces about service equipment,
switchboards, panelboards, or motor control centers installed indoors.


And yes an occupancy sensor is automatic controls.
 
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hillbilly1

Senior Member
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North Georgia mountains
Occupation
Owner/electrical contractor
If feasible, one way around it would be to install individual lighting at the control cabinets with manual overrides, the cost should still be trumped by the savings of sensors on the other lights.
 
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Strathead

Senior Member
Location
Ocala, Florida, USA
Occupation
Electrician/Estimator/Project Manager/Superintendent
Of many things in the code book that seem a little over the top, this is one that makes a lot of sense to me. You mentioned machinery, and that also requires lighting not controlled automatically. From a purely safety point, you should have locally controlled lighting at all locations that have electrical panels.
 
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deedo1124

Member
Okay, so it appears I will need to add some manual overides to meet the intent of the code. Any idea what the minimum illumance level required would be for working in a denergized electrical panel. At this facility they are not allowed to work on energized equipment. If we add a pull chain switch to stategic fixtures would this cover us?
 
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fmtjfw

Senior Member
Location
Fairmont, WV, USA
Can't do all electrcial more deenergized

Can't do all electrcial more deenergized

Some electrical work can not be done deenergized. Take for instance measuring voltages and currents. The Union and the NEC have a good point. Working on an energized circuit when the lights go out is more excitement than I need.
 
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hillbilly1

Senior Member
Location
North Georgia mountains
Occupation
Owner/electrical contractor
deedo1124 said:
Each fixture has an integral OC sensor. I assume it could be wired in parallel with the sensor.
Click to expand...

The problem with the pull chain is you will not know if the contacts are closed or not, the fixture is already on, and then when it's left on in the wrong position, the light stays on 24/7. I've had customers want OC sensors in electrical room, but NEC or not, Union or not, it's common sense not to put them there. You just have an unforeseen consequence of work being done outside of the electrical room. I just don't think your going to have a cheap solution to the problem.
 
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