Hi guys,
There is a closed thread of a similar name, where the OP posted that the 2010 ASHRAE standards require 50% of receptacles in an office space to be controlled. At the time this was completely off my radar. However, our local codes have adopted this version of ASHRAE as of December 2013, so I am forced to design under these codes.
I believe most of you share my view that the cost of the controls and the environmental impact of producing the controls outweighs any benefit from this design rule, especially considering how easy it is to circumvent... via power bar. Nevertheless, during the construction process I put my stamp on a piece of paper that states the building is in full compliance, so what can I do but comply, comply, comply. And raise my fees a bit.
In case you are not aware of the standard, step or full dimming must be provided also if the office contains more than two fixtures.
I could not find other posts dealing with the topic, which surprises me a bit. I know ASHRAE 2010 has been adopted by many states and just about all of Canada. Is everyone ignoring these clauses?
In the old posting there are no solutions offered. Some responders had the sensible idea of putting receptacles under occupancy switch control, but the fatal flaw in that idea is that occupancy switches are not rated for receptacle loads. Believe me, I have tried all the vendors including Wattstopper, Leviton, Lutron.... This isn't to say that there are no solutions. The problem is that the "room controllers" offered to completely comply with ASHRAE 2010 in an a private office cost about $400 per office when you add up all the parts. There is also the control panel route, and these can be fairly cost effective on large buildings, but for a small building with just a few offices, it falls down. ASHRAE requires a documented commissioning of those systems, akin to a fire alarm verification. What fun!
The solution i am aiming towards consists of regular wall vacancy switch, a 0-10V dimmer control (for use with lay in LED featuring 0-10 input), and a relay with coil on the lighting circuit and contacts switching the receptacles. This will be fully compliant at about half the price of the network room control approach.
I have approved parts for the first two items but the third one has me stuck.
Does anyone have a suggestion for a reliable and reasonably priced relay that would live comfortably in one third of a triple gang box? I'll take one in a double gang box if I can find one. It needs to be 120V coil, 120V contact, 15A rated, ULC approved, reliable, and easy to wire up. The ultimate product would be be packaged much like a decora device c/w with blank cover (or better still a little LED indicator).
(Well, the ultimate product would be a combination dimmer, 0-10V relay, o/c but I got laughed at when I suggested this to a major control outfit, so I am not holding my breath on that one)
Also, I heard about a split receptacle with half green (for the switch side) but it seems that this is just a rumor. If you know of a supplier post that please, and save the contractors on my projects the joyous job of labeling the damn things.
If you have other approaches to "solving ASHRAE" then please post back.
If there is widespread non compliance I would like to hear about that also. Perhaps this rule can be pushed out of next version of ASHRAE if enough of us put up a stink.
thanks
There is a closed thread of a similar name, where the OP posted that the 2010 ASHRAE standards require 50% of receptacles in an office space to be controlled. At the time this was completely off my radar. However, our local codes have adopted this version of ASHRAE as of December 2013, so I am forced to design under these codes.
I believe most of you share my view that the cost of the controls and the environmental impact of producing the controls outweighs any benefit from this design rule, especially considering how easy it is to circumvent... via power bar. Nevertheless, during the construction process I put my stamp on a piece of paper that states the building is in full compliance, so what can I do but comply, comply, comply. And raise my fees a bit.
In case you are not aware of the standard, step or full dimming must be provided also if the office contains more than two fixtures.
I could not find other posts dealing with the topic, which surprises me a bit. I know ASHRAE 2010 has been adopted by many states and just about all of Canada. Is everyone ignoring these clauses?
In the old posting there are no solutions offered. Some responders had the sensible idea of putting receptacles under occupancy switch control, but the fatal flaw in that idea is that occupancy switches are not rated for receptacle loads. Believe me, I have tried all the vendors including Wattstopper, Leviton, Lutron.... This isn't to say that there are no solutions. The problem is that the "room controllers" offered to completely comply with ASHRAE 2010 in an a private office cost about $400 per office when you add up all the parts. There is also the control panel route, and these can be fairly cost effective on large buildings, but for a small building with just a few offices, it falls down. ASHRAE requires a documented commissioning of those systems, akin to a fire alarm verification. What fun!
The solution i am aiming towards consists of regular wall vacancy switch, a 0-10V dimmer control (for use with lay in LED featuring 0-10 input), and a relay with coil on the lighting circuit and contacts switching the receptacles. This will be fully compliant at about half the price of the network room control approach.
I have approved parts for the first two items but the third one has me stuck.
Does anyone have a suggestion for a reliable and reasonably priced relay that would live comfortably in one third of a triple gang box? I'll take one in a double gang box if I can find one. It needs to be 120V coil, 120V contact, 15A rated, ULC approved, reliable, and easy to wire up. The ultimate product would be be packaged much like a decora device c/w with blank cover (or better still a little LED indicator).
(Well, the ultimate product would be a combination dimmer, 0-10V relay, o/c but I got laughed at when I suggested this to a major control outfit, so I am not holding my breath on that one)
Also, I heard about a split receptacle with half green (for the switch side) but it seems that this is just a rumor. If you know of a supplier post that please, and save the contractors on my projects the joyous job of labeling the damn things.
If you have other approaches to "solving ASHRAE" then please post back.
If there is widespread non compliance I would like to hear about that also. Perhaps this rule can be pushed out of next version of ASHRAE if enough of us put up a stink.
thanks