277 Volt Lighting

[jerryb]

I'm looking for a clarification of Article 225.7(c) which is title "Lighting Equipment Installed Outdoors". In paragraph (c) it states: "Circuits exceeding 120 volts, nominal, between conductors and not exceeding 277 volts, nominal, to ground shall be permitted to supply luminaires (lighting fixtures) for illumination of outdoor areas of industrial establishments, office buildings, schools, stores, and other commercial or public buildings where the luminaires (fixtures) are not less than 900 mm (3 ft) from windows, platforms, fire escapes, and the like."

What is the meaning of "and the like"?

Is the NEC saying that we cannot have a 277 volt light fixture over a doorway (less than 3 feet)that might open to the outside? I see security lights on the exterior of buildings all the time, and I know many of them are wired at 277 volt.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[jeff43222]

Re: 277 Volt Lighting

I would think that if they meant to include doorways, they would have explicitly listed them. A doorway is a common enough issue that it wouldn't be relegated to "and the like" status.

My guess is that in this case "and the like" probably refers to places where a person would reasonably be likely to come into contact with the fixture. I believe this is probably why doorways (more specifically, the areas above them) weren't explicitly listed.

[ October 20, 2004, 04:41 PM: Message edited by: jeff43222 ]

 

[petersonra]

Re: 277 Volt Lighting

I would guess the prupose of the requirement is physical seperation of equipment supplied with 277V from human beings who might reasonably be expected to be near windows, doors, and platforms.

I would suspect that "and the like" in this case would mean places where humans might reasonably be expected to be.

 

[jerryb]

Re: 277 Volt Lighting

I would agree with both of these explanations listed above and that is how I would expect the engineer to design and the contractor to install the lighting. The reason for the original question came from a friend of mine that attended a local 2002 NEC code class and the book used in the class was "Understanding the National Electrical Code" by Mike Holt. In that book on page 100 is an illustration of outdoor lighting with a caption at the bottom stating "Luminaires supplied by 480V or 277V circuits must be kept 3 ft from doors, windows or platform locations." The illustration is pretty clear on its meaning and even includes ground mounted flood lights.

I think I know the purpose and intent of this code section, but now we have a group of code officials locally that think that ALL 277V (or 480V)lighting fixtures must be kept at least 3 ft from Any door or window (in addition to platforms, fire escapes, and the like).

Is there something that I am missing here?