ASHRAE 90.1 Double Duplex Controlled Receptacle

[Shujinko]

We are part of a project where the facility will have controlled receptacles to meet requirements in ASHRAE 90.1. Half the duplex receptacle will be switched off by an occupancy sensor the other half will stay operational all the time. Are there any issues code wise or logistically that would not allow to put 2 duplex receptacles in a double gang backbox?

 

[GoldDigger]

No code issues, but make sure the box is deep enough for the number of wires since you may have more than the typical number of circuits.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[Fulthrotl]

We are part of a project where the facility will have controlled receptacles to meet requirements in ASHRAE 90.1. Half the duplex receptacle will be switched off by an occupancy sensor the other half will stay operational all the time. Are there any issues code wise or logistically that would not allow to put 2 duplex receptacles in a double gang backbox?

something that is a common solution, is to use MC 3 wire, one leg switched.
use receptacles marked for the purpose, and split them. one half switched,
one half always hot.

hit all the receptacles that way, and it complies with T24:2016, as well as
ASHRAE 90.1 fast and easy.

T24 is that you need a controlled outlet within 6' of a noncontrolled outlet.
so rather than do doubles, lots of people just split them.

 

[luckylerado]

This arbitrary overreaching total BS regulation makes me crazy every time I think about it.

 

[ron]

We double the receptacles, so the occupant just doesn't use the switched receptacles.

 

[luckylerado]

We double the receptacles, so the occupant just doesn't use the switched receptacles.

Exactly. I have to wonder if all the energy that went into harvesting raw material, manufacturing, packaging and shipping the additional material that goes unused costs the environment more than leaving on the LED light on my phone charger. Ridiculous IMO.

 

[gadfly56]

Exactly. I have to wonder if all the energy that went into harvesting raw material, manufacturing, packaging and shipping the additional material that goes unused costs the environment more than leaving on the LED light on my phone charger. Ridiculous IMO.

Exactly; the law of unintended consequences.

 

[Fulthrotl]

This arbitrary overreaching total BS regulation makes me crazy every time I think about it.

hm.

"LEED AP BD+C....."

ohoh, i sense an allergic reaction rearing it's ugly head....

he must have gotten stuck with counting points to make
platinum on a project, and it caused spinal cord knotting....
a common occurrence....

take deep cleansing breaths.... quietly tell yourself....

"there are no rules, there are no rules....."

 

[Fulthrotl]

Exactly. I have to wonder if all the energy that went into harvesting raw material, manufacturing, packaging and shipping the additional material that goes unused costs the environment more than leaving on the LED light on my phone charger. Ridiculous IMO.

#resist.

i have 1.5 watt LED lamps in the wall sconces on the front
of my garage. they are never turned off. they have been on
for 12 years now. 3 watts squandered 16 hours a day.

the energy savings would never pay for the $35 timer control
in my lifetime.

and i have a LEED AP, and a title 24 acceptance tester certificate.
shh. don't tell nobody.

 

[wwhitney]

i have 1.5 watt LED lamps in the wall sconces on the front
of my garage. they are never turned off. they have been on
for 12 years now. 3 watts squandered 16 hours a day.

the energy savings would never pay for the $35 timer control
in my lifetime.

That's 17.5 kWh per year, at $0.20/kWh (a guess) you're at $3.50 per year. In which case you're already 2 years over the equipment payback period.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[steve66]

The also have duplex receptacles where half is marked as controlled, and the other half can be unswitched.

I think they even have wireless systems now so no additional wiring is needed.

Instead of doubling the number of receptacles, I just assume the owner will use plug strips or splitters to connect more plugs to the unswitched outlets.

http://www.legrand.us/wattstopper/plugload-controls/wireless-plugload-control/wrc-plug-load.aspx

 

[gadfly56]

The also have duplex receptacles where half is marked as controlled, and the other half can be unswitched.

I think they even have wireless systems now so no additional wiring is needed.

Instead of doubling the number of receptacles, I just assume the owner will use plug strips or splitters to connect more plugs to the unswitched outlets.

http://www.legrand.us/wattstopper/plugload-controls/wireless-plugload-control/wrc-plug-load.aspx

If you use a power strip at each location, it's cheaper to double up the outlets to start. Of course, capital budgets and operating budgets are usually two different piles of money and the bean counters often frown on moving money between them, not that I understand why.

 

[steve66]

If you use a power strip at each location, it's cheaper to double up the outlets to start. Of course, capital budgets and operating budgets are usually two different piles of money and the bean counters often frown on moving money between them, not that I understand why.

Maybe in residential, but for any of the commercial projects I've every worked on, an outlet costs a lot more than a power strip. If you go by RS means, even replacing an existing receptacle is $68. So even if the extra outlets go in as quads, its got to cost at least $68 to add a second duplex and to make the box bigger.

And they could use these things which are even cheaper:

 

[gadfly56]

Maybe in residential, but for any of the commercial projects I've every worked on, an outlet costs a lot more than a power strip. If you go by RS means, even replacing an existing receptacle is $68. So even if the extra outlets go in as quads, its got to cost at least $68 to add a second duplex and to make the box bigger.

And they could use these things which are even cheaper:

View attachment 17501

So if I'd normally put in a duplex, putting in a quad would be that high a delta? Come to think of it, even if I use the same raceway I still have to pull 2X the conductors.

 

[Fulthrotl]

That's 17.5 kWh per year, at $0.20/kWh (a guess) you're at $3.50 per year. In which case you're already 2 years over the equipment payback period.

Cheers, Wayne

please. i'm old. this is the last act of civil disobedience
open to me.... don't take it away.....

on a funny note, the subject of controlled outlets reared
it's ugly head today on a job i was certifying.

me:
also, you have to have the controlled outlets permanently
identified. they can be embossed from the manufacturer,
or you can buy the stickers that are a buck a sheet at the
wholesale house.

EC:
you'd fail me for that?

me:
yes. i have no choice.

EC:
i PUT circuit numbers on the plates!

me:
i see that, and a fine job you did. but
you need to put the switched stickie on there also

EC:
I DON'T NEED A STICKIE. I KNOW WHERE EVERY CONTROLLED
OUTLET IS AT!

me:
yeah, but nobody else does.

EC:
I'M NOT PUTTING STICKERS ON UNTIL YOU SHOW ME WHERE
IN THE CODE IT SAYS THAT! (sits down and crosses arms smugly)
AND DON'T TELL ME HOW TO DO MY JOB! I'VE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL
CONTRACTOR FOR 35 YEARS!

me:
congratulations. you hide it well. i'm not going to tell you how to do
your job, and i'm not going to do it for you, either. look it up yourself.
i'm leaving now. when you've replaced the wattstopper parts you've
burned out, the GC, my customer, will call me for a reinspection.
if your job is not compliant, i will provide my customer with a written
summary of the deficiencies. subsequent reinspections will be at my
normal fee.


after i left without calling him a bad word, i just for grins pulled
his license abstract from the state license board.....

i'd mention it as a courtesy, but he can figure it out when he next
goes to pull a permit. it'll take between 3 and 4 months to get the
status changed. the state license board is slow. you don't want to
let it lapse.... he gets a time out. couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

Entity	Corporation
Issue Date	04/11/1992
Reissue Date	04/02/1997
Expire Date	04/30/2017
License Status
This license is expired and not able to contract at this time.​
Additional Status
Before the license can be renewed active or reactivated, the corporation's status at the Secretary of State's Office must be returned to active. ​