Article 700 systems

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GamecockEE

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I'm working on a project where it makes sense to put the entire hallway lighting of a condo project on generator power. I am considering providing unit equipment for egress lighting for the interim period between the time the generator comes on line, or in case the generator doesn't perform as it should. Can unit equipment be used on an emergency circuit (Article 700) to provide defense in depth egress lighting. Or would it be better to consider the hallway lighting circuit as an optional standby Article 702 circuit? Thanks for your input & insight in advance. I know I'm about to learn something.
 
Re: Article 700 systems

If the hallway requires emergency illumination, and you decide to illuminate the entire hallway, you will have both emergency and optional standby loads. The biggest question is, does the halway require emergency illumination?
 
Re: Article 700 systems

Ryan, the hallway would require emergency illumination for safe egress, unit equipment tied to the normal power branch circuit serving the hall lighting would meet the minimum requirement. On this project I also have legally required stand-by loads, (fire pump, elevators). Since people may be staying in the building during a prolonged power outage, I wanted to provide for additional illumination.
 
Re: Article 700 systems

I certianly don't do design work, but I would recomend unit equipment for the emergency system, and optional standby for the additional (optional) lighting. By doing this you don't have to deal with seperate transfer switches, unless of course you have other emergency loads.
 
Re: Article 700 systems

If a light is required by 700, I don't see anything wrong with using both unit equipment and a generator emergency circuit.

My local AHJ requires unit equipment in stairwells even when we have a generator for emergency loads. Operating rooms have a similar requirement.

Steve
 
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