110.26 (D)- Illumination about a work space

Status
Not open for further replies.
Re: 110.26 (D)- Illumination about a work space

A dwelling unit could have a panelboard. The panelboard could be in a habitable room. The only light in that room could be from a floor lamp powered via a switched outlet.

The separation of the rules for residential from other occupancies comes from the fact that the cited exception only applies to dwelling units, and only to the habitable rooms within those dwelling units.
 
Re: 110.26 (D)- Illumination about a work space

I do not see how it could be read any other way than Charlie B's interp. 270.A.3 has no exceptions.

paul
 
Re: 110.26 (D)- Illumination about a work space

Ok now with the layout,it is clearly a utility room.There must be a 30 inch wide spot by 36 inches deep from floor to ceiling.So put the light there.If the ducts are in that space you have a much bigger violation than lighting.I see no way to call this a habital room.Find some way to jack chain a shop light.
 
Re: 110.26 (D)- Illumination about a work space

Jim, does that mean that you are giving up and are now agreeing with my interpretation? :D
 
Re: 110.26 (D)- Illumination about a work space

I still have a problem with the idea of the exception to 210.70(A)(1), Exception No. 1
I have an electrical room that has two fluorescent lights. These lights are controlled by a wall switch. Both light are cord and plug connected.
Is this a violation of 410.30 of the NEC?
 
Re: 110.26 (D)- Illumination about a work space

I think it's ok JW, it's an adjacent light sorce.
 
Re: 110.26 (D)- Illumination about a work space

Thank you Sam, is this not what the exception in 210.70 (A) (1) saying. I have a hard time trying to understand what is being said about this exception.

(one or more receptacles controlled by a wall switch shall be permitted in lieu of lighting outlets.)
100 defines a Lighting Outlet. An outlet intended for the direct connection of a lampholder, a luminaire (lighting fixture), or a pendant cord terminating in a lampholder.

I read this like a simple minded person (which I am) would. Most electricians, like me, in this old world don?t have a book of code protocol that they carry with them; they just read what is there. I have a hard time believing that it was the intent of the CMP that I would have to hard wire this fixture. Bless my heart I just keep it simple.
 
Re: 110.26 (D)- Illumination about a work space

Hah, rots a ruck keeping it simple when using the NEC.

This is my take:

It's fine if the lighting already exists but if it doesn't you may not be allowed to use a switched receptacle.
 
Re: 110.26 (D)- Illumination about a work space

Article 410.30 (C) allows a fixture to be installed by cord and plug. For this to happen and not be activated by automatic means it would have to be controlled by a switch. This is all that the exception is trying to say.
1- I have a small kitchen/break room at the back of a store or office and this is where the panel is located. Exception requires a lighting outlet
2- Electrical room can have a switched receptacle.
I am open minded enough to listen if some one can explain to me that is was not the intent of the CMP to allow a switched receptacle for a cord and plugged light to be installed for illumination at a panel. Maybe they used a poor way to allow this but I believe this was the intent.
 
Re: 110.26 (D)- Illumination about a work space

If it makes you feel better I agree that 110.26(D) doesn't say you can't use a switched receptacle. I also can see how someone might say that it does says you can't.

But either way you'll have to use the words of the code for your interpretation. The intent of the CMP has no bearing once the code is printed. Unless you get a formal interpretation.
 
Re: 110.26 (D)- Illumination about a work space

By parsing out the extraneous verbiage:

Illumination.
1. Illumination shall be provided for all working spaces about service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, or motor control centers installed indoors.
2. Additional lighting outlets shall not be required where:
(a) the work space is illuminated by an adjacent light source, or
(b) as permitted in habitable rooms,in dwellings, other than kitchens and bathrooms [with] one or more receptacles controlled by a wall switch.
3. In electrical equipment rooms, the illumination shall not be controlled by automatic means only.
Edit add: With the assumption an exception should be interpreted in context of its main rule.

[ February 23, 2005, 05:46 PM: Message edited by: rbalex ]
 
Re: 110.26 (D)- Illumination about a work space

This is where I find it debatable Bob.

Although What you said is true:

2. Additional lighting outlets shall not be required where:
It doesn't actually ever say that a "lighting outlet" is required.

It says "Illumination shall be provided".


_______________________________________________
Edit: I removed an emphesis.

[ February 23, 2005, 06:19 PM: Message edited by: physis ]
 
Re: 110.26 (D)- Illumination about a work space

I am contending that an article or the exception of an article can be annexed into another section of the code and apply that article without being bound by the heading of its original article.

When I read 110.26 I see the clear and evident statement that safety and good common sense was the thesis of this article. Access to and escape from, protection of the equipment and enough light to safely work on the equipment is the main concern.

As for enforcing the ?intent? of the code, this is evidenced by 90.4 ?The authority having jurisdiction for enforcement of the Code has the responsibility for making interpretations of the rules,?
When we disagree with the inspectors interpretation is when we take to a higher authority and ask them what they think the intent was or to interpret for us.
 
Re: 110.26 (D)- Illumination about a work space

Originally posted by jwelectric: I am contending that an article or the exception of an article can be annexed into another section of the code and apply that article without being bound by the heading of its original article.
I?m not sure I would agree with this, but it does not matter for this specific question. The article is not annexing the other section. Rather, 110.26(D) says that if ?the exception? says something is OK for its own purposes, then that same thing will also be OK for the purposes of 110.26(D).

It?s the same as the following rule: ?Go ask your mother. If she says yes, then I?ll say yes.?

The kid still has to go through the effort to ask the mother. And if the mother says no, then the father will say no, even though that part of the rule was not explicitly stated in the wording of the rule.
 
Re: 110.26 (D)- Illumination about a work space

So now my question goes back to 410.30. 410.30 does allow a fixture to be cord a plug connected.

Using the thought that the exception to 210.70(A)(1) does not allow a switched receptacle, to install a fixture with cord and plug at a panel in a warehouse would be a violation?
 
Re: 110.26 (D)- Illumination about a work space

Originally posted by physis:
This is where I find it debatable Bob...]
Excellent Sam!!! You're right that it's debatable, especially since both "sides" can see how the other could reasonably interpret it the "other" way. JW's also right that this would be a case where the AHJ would need to exercise the responsibility to interpret the Code.

This means you now have an assignment over on the 2008 Proposals forum :D .

Write it up unambiguously, the way you believe it should be. Get rid of the "exception" reference if you can.
 
Re: 110.26 (D)- Illumination about a work space

Oh man, Bob. Making proposals is work. :(

One of these days I'll step through the process and it wont seem like a big deal anymore. Then you'll be sorry. I'll be trying to rewrite the whole book. You'll be asking me "hey Sam, wouldn't you rather be complaining on the NEC forum?" :D
 
Re: 110.26 (D)- Illumination about a work space

Sam, that is why that part of the forum is there. Dip you toe in, it will not hurt . . . trust me. :D
 
Re: 110.26 (D)- Illumination about a work space

Originally posted by jwelectric:
So now my question goes back to 410.30. 410.30 does allow a fixture to be cord a plug connected.

Using the thought that the exception to 210.70(A)(1) does not allow a switched receptacle, to install a fixture with cord and plug at a panel in a warehouse would be a violation?
Please don't leave me hanging, is this right or wrong? Which of us is reading this the right way? I don't want to keep teaching something the wrong way.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top