Re: Big oops ... need suggestions
Originally posted by don_resqcapt19:
. . .the only point that maters is where the current leaves the wiring system to supply utilization equipment, and that is at the outlet the feeds the equipment, not at the switch that controls the outlet that feeds the equipment.
Don
"Outlet" is ambiguous as to physical location of the utilization equipment. Hence, the physical location of the UE falls away because the definition is focusing on the current that is crossing the boundary between wiring system and not wiring system.
The current in the switch is the current that supplies the utilization equipment. The current in the switch is entirely and 100% "taken" by the utilization equipment because the switch and the wiring and the controlled outlet only "carry" the current.
I haven't yet examined the changes in the language of what is currently known as 404.14, but I note that the 1978 NEC states:
1978 NEC
380-14. Rating and Use of Snap-Swtches. Snap switches shall be used within their ratings as follows:
(a) AC General-Use Snap Switch. A form of general-use snap switch suitable only for use on alternating-current circuits for controlling the following: </font>
- <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">(1) Resistive and inductive loads, including electric-discharge lamps, not exceeding the ampere rating of the switch at the voltabe involved.</font>
- <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">(2) Etc. . . .</font>
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">
Note the inclusion of the words "use. . .for controlling" in the passage.
The 1978 Code Cycle saw the introduction of the Definition of Premises Wiring (System), and that definition says the wiring, internal to controllers, is not part of such wiring as makes up the system. I submit that the creation of the Definition of Premises Wiring (System) was created with full knowledge that a switch controlling a light is, in fact, a controller.
The Definition of Premises Wiring (System) creates the leaving of current at a controller, and when the controller is a switch, and the UE a luminaire, the "current taken" at the point, on the wiring system that is the switch, and the point on the wiring system that is the connection to the UE,
as defined in "Outlet", is indistinguishable because no physical location of the UE is given.
And, lest this be glossed over, the language is encompassing enough to deliberately include current taken from DC, AC, single phase and multiphase wiring systems of many, many configurations. "Outlet" defines, in one short collection of language, the boundary between wiring system and not wiring system for a large number of types of different systems, hence the narrow focus on "current".