Dwelling unit lighting

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cppoly

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Are there any restrictions in putting an entire apartment dwelling unit?s lighting all on one circuit if the load is small enough?
 
Let's say the lighting load for an apartment is 1,000 VA, wouldn't it make sense to just separate the lighting load from the receptacle load and put all the lighting on one dedicated circuit?
 
cppoly said:
Let's say the lighting load for an apartment is 1,000 VA, wouldn't it make sense to just separate the lighting load from the receptacle load and put all the lighting on one dedicated circuit?
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Yes, but it would also make sense to not have all the lighting in the unit fail at once if that circuit trips.

Two valid reasons for doing it in opposite ways. Result: a design decision gets made.....
 
That is a good point.

I would think that the possibility of one 10 amp lighting circuit failing is low if only lighting is connected. Also when lighting is combined with receptacle loads on the same circuit, there is the possibility of lights flickering or dimming when vacuums or other high power loads are plugged in. Something else to consider too.
 
cppoly said:
That is a good point.

I would think that the possibility of one 10 amp lighting circuit failing is low if only lighting is connected. Also when lighting is combined with receptacle loads on the same circuit, there is the possibility of lights flickering or dimming when vacuums or other high power loads are plugged in. Something else to consider too.
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I have seen breakers trip when an incandescent lamp burns out. I think that a short length of the filiment drops across the "bus" in the lamp and causes a short circuit. Have also seen breaker trips from a failed ballast.

As far as the filckering and dimming, that is possible, but just having the lights on a separate circuit does not always get rid of that problem.
 
Heavy filament bulbs are especially vulnerable to high current on burnout. I believe the mechanism is an arc through the vaporized metal cloud.
Some bulbs include a fuse element to reduce the surge.
 
cppoly said:
Are there any restrictions in putting an entire apartment dwelling unit?s lighting all on one circuit if the load is small enough?
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I guess no as everybody else stated.
The breaker may even serve as a switch and comply with;

210.70 Lighting Outlets Required. Lighting outlets shallbe installed where specified in 210.70(A), (B), and (C).
(A) Dwelling Units. In dwelling units, lighting outletsshall be installed in accordance with 210.70(A)(1), (A)(2),and (A)(3).
(1) Habitable Rooms. At least one wall switch-controlledlighting outlet shall be installed in every habitable roomand bathroom.

I cannot find in text that each room needs individual Switch.
So you can walk in to apartment, flip the breaker on and enjoy your evening :p



 
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Even if you have a larger dwelling with multiple lighting circuits, the loss of one circuit can still leave a rather large area in the dark so I wouldn't be too concerned with thinking you need multiple lighting circuits in this small dwelling unit.

I guess if you are afraid of leaving someone in the dark use battery powered emergency lighting units.
 
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