Controlled Plug-Loads - Standardization

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How often do you see plug load controls as a requirement on projects in your area?

  • Never

    Votes: 2 28.6%

  • Sometimes

    Votes: 1 14.3%

  • Often

    Votes: 3 42.9%

  • Always

    Votes: 1 14.3%
  • Total voters
    7
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SRLINEMAN

Member
Location
Pennsylvania
Occupation
Sr. Electrical Estimator | Electrical Designer | Lead Instructor | Master Electrician
How often do you see plug load controls as a requirement on projects in your area? I am from Pennsylvania and they aren’t quick to adopt new codes.
 
code book image: b6fb168f-7ca4-11e9-b18c-f700bda2dd08


All that little symbol on the controlled receptacle does is to tell the users not to use that receptacle :D
 
When I lived in Seattle (and I know it applied elsewhere), there was a requirement that, in certain areas, you had to have a controlled receptacle for every uncontrolled one. The control mechanism could be by timer or motion sensor. When I worked in my most recent office, I plugged my pencil sharpener into the controlled receptacle. I was proud to be making a contribution to future generations by saving energy.

I tried, without even a hint of success, to get Seattle to drop that requirement (I was in a position that gave me some influence). My reasoning was that the energy savings could not possibility offset the energy consumed in the material, labor, and control components associated with the additional wiring. Not surprisingly, the political inertia of the, "Look at me! I am saving energy" train wreck won out. Sigh!
 
charlie b said:
When I lived in Seattle (and I know it applied elsewhere), there was a requirement that, in certain areas, you had to have a controlled receptacle for every uncontrolled one. The control mechanism could be by timer or motion sensor. When I worked in my most recent office, I plugged my pencil sharpener into the controlled receptacle. I was proud to be making a contribution to future generations by saving energy.

I tried, without even a hint of success, to get Seattle to drop that requirement (I was in a position that gave me some influence). My reasoning was that the energy savings could not possibility offset the energy consumed in the material, labor, and control components associated with the additional wiring. Not surprisingly, the political inertia of the, "Look at me! I am saving energy" train wreck won out. Sigh!
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My grandkids are fascinated by pencil sharpeners. But I get your point (sorry).
 
Some offices I wired or worked in had requirements for bi level light switching. The lights were always turned on to high. But motion sensors work well in small offices and hallways. Never saw controlled outlets, Charlie is right that additional control wiring may not be cost effective.
 
I had no idea this was a thing…

TIL that some places are requiring controlled outlets. Here I am in California where we are usually on the leading edge of requirement silliness and I am totally unaware.

Ah, I see now that in California, this only applies to 120V 15 and 20A outlets in some commercial and industrial spaces that might be unoccupied for long periods, such as lobbies and conference rooms. Makes more sense now.
 
Not sure on requirements but the newest building on campus has split controlled outlets in every office controlled by occupancy sensors. There have been some annoyed staff members who had computer plugged into the wrong outlet
 
X10 used to have a split outlet-- one half was live, the other controlled by an X10 controller. I wonder if that would count? No extra wiring, and there are computer interfaces for the controllers.
 
PaulMmn said:
X10 used to have a split outlet-- one half was live, the other controlled by an X10 controller. I wonder if that would count? No extra wiring, and there are computer interfaces for the controllers.
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I still use X10 now.
 
Our company works on government projects quite a lot, UFC refers to ASHRAE 90.1 which requires 50% of the receptacles in office etc to be controlled.
 
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