517.13 cllarification.

[augie47]

Exception to 517.13 reads:
[FONT=&quot]Exception No. 2 to (3): Luminaires more than 2.3 m (7ft) above the floor and switches located outside of the patient care vicinity shall be permitted to be connected to an equipment grounding return path complying with 517.13(A)[/FONT]

We got into a discussion today...
Does this mean the exception applies to fixtures above 7 ft and the exception applies to switches located outside of the PC area OR
does this mean the exception apples to fixtures above 7 ft that also have switches outside the area...
the and seems to allow it to be read either way.

 

[roger]

Gus, the exception covers both, fixtures above 7.5' (which is outside the patient vicinity) and switches (any and all) that are located outside the patient vicinity.

Roger

 

[Smart $]

I agree with Roger. Applies to either, not in a patient care vicinity.

I really wish Code would use better technical grammar, especially where conditional phrase(s) apply to more than one item in a list.

 

[bphgravity]

Here is the history of the exception in case you don't have it

This is from the 1998 ROP/ROC for the 199 NEC:

17- 12 - (517-13(a), Exception No 2) Accept in Principle
SUBMITER: Bud Swathwood, Electrical Contracting, Inc
RECOMMENDATION: Revise as follows
Add to Exception No 2 before the word "Metal", the exception
would then start out.
Switches shall not be required to be grounded by an insulated
grounding conductor, and
SUBSTANTIATION: This addition would clear up the
confusion by some that redundant grounding is necessary for
lighting switches The only thing to ground would be the plate
screw (if metal) and the face plate if metal Tins Is addressed m
the remainder of the Exception No 2
PANEL ACTION Accept in Principle
Revise Section 517-13(a), exception No 3 to read as follows
"Exception No 3 light fixtures more than 7 1/2 ft (2 29 m)
above the floor and switches shall not be required to be
grounded by an Insulated grounding conductor"
PANEL STATEMENT: The panel does not intend that switch
yokes be required to be grounded by an insulated grounding
conductor
NUMBER OF PANEL MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE 15
VOTE ON PANEL ACTION
AFFIRMATIVE 15

17- 9 - (517-15(a), Exception No. 2): Accept in Principle
SUBMIITER: John Mangan, Medford, MA
COMMENT ON PROPOSAL NO: 17-12
RECOMMENDATION: Reject and switches from the Exception.
SUBSTANTIATION: This gives the impression that redundant
grounding of switch outlets is not required in patient care areas.
PANEL ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise Section 517.13(a), Exception No. 3 to read as follows:
"Exception No. 3: Light fixtures more than 7 1/2 ft (2.2m) above
the floor and switches located outside of the patient vicinity shall
not be required to be grounded by an insulated grounding
conductor."
PANEL STATEMENT: It is the Panel's intent that redundant
grounding of switch yokes is required within the patient vicinity.
is intent was not made clear m the panel statement and panel
action on Proposal 17-12.
NUMBER OF PANEL MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
VOTE ON PANEL ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 16

 

[bphgravity]

I feel the best way to apply this exception is to actually take each allowance one at a time. That is, imagine that Exception No. 2 to (3) is actually two independent exceptions as follows:

Exception No. 2A to (3): Luminaires more than 2.3 m (71?2 ft)
above the floor shall be permitted to be connected to an equipment
grounding return path complying with 517.13(A).

Exception No. 2B to (3): switches located outside of the patient
care vicinity shall be permitted to be connected to an equipment
grounding return path complying with 517.13(A).

 

[bphgravity]

I feel the best way to apply this exception is to actually take each allowance one at a time. That is, imagine that Exception No. 2 to (3) is actually two independent exceptions as follows:

Exception No. 2A to (3): Luminaires more than 2.3 m (71?2 ft)
above the floor shall be permitted to be connected to an equipment
grounding return path complying with 517.13(A).

Exception No. 2B to (3): Switches located outside of the patient
care vicinity shall be permitted to be connected to an equipment
grounding return path complying with 517.13(A).

 

[augie47]

That;s the way I read it. Some of the other inspectors read it as "when the fixture is above 7-1/2 and the switch is out of the room"