Automatic lights - substation

[jmd445]

A facility manager wants these installed :

http://www.wattstopper.com/products/details.html?id=105&category=62&type=Commercial

In out substation (26kv - 5 kv) as well as 2 other mechanical spaces (cooling tower substation 5kv - 480, with vfd's and mcc's), and in our chiller plant with pumps, vfd, and 3 line-ups of 5kv gear.

I'm against it citing:

OSHA 29CFR 1910.303(g)(1)(v)

? Illumination shall be provided for all working spaces about service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, and motor control centers installed indoors. Additional lighting fixtures are not required where the working space is illuminated by an adjacent light source. In electric equipment rooms, the illumination may not be controlled by automatic means only.
I don't believe we are both right or both wrong, referring to 'automatic means only'. These are installed in numerous penthouses with mechanical and electrical gear.

Your thoughts,

Jim

 

[cornbread]

I would not want to be working around / in electrical gear and have that thing time out. Talk about making your #### pucker.

 

[eric9822]

Seems to me that they are OK to install as long as there is a manual override or a manual switch wired in parallel. That being said, it could get a little scary if someone forgets to use the manual override prior to starting a job. Personally I would not bother installing the occupancy sensor since the manual override would defeat the purpose.

 

[iMuse97]

Seems to me that they are OK to install as long as there is a manual override or a manual switch wired in parallel. That being said, it could get a little scary if someone forgets to use the manual override prior to starting a job. Personally I would not bother installing the occupancy sensor since the manual override would defeat the purpose.

And how would the "new guy" know there was a manual switch in parallel? Besides that facilities manager would save himself more watts if he installed those in the restrooms. Then people would be less tempted to use them as long-term break rooms.

 

[Buck Parrish]

I have one in my laundry room. It works good.

 

[eric9822]

And how would the "new guy" know there was a manual switch in parallel?

He wouldn't. I didn't say he should do this but the wording says he could.