Electronic Grade Panelboards

[kds]

Can anyone explain the justification for using an electronics grade panelboard EGP for computer receptacles in an office/school setting? When is it acceptable to combine general loads (including lighting, heating, A/C, fans, receptacles) with receptacles dedicated for computer equipment?

 

[jim dungar]

When is it acceptable to combine general loads (including lighting, heating, A/C, fans, receptacles) with receptacles dedicated for computer equipment?

When ever you feel like it. Unless you are running a data center server room, there is almost no need to treat 'computers' in any special way. The old reasons for ground isolation have all but disappeared thanks to Ethernet network wiring and USB peripherals.

 

[ptonsparky]

If you can sell the project and the customer is happy, then you have justification.

I made the mistake once of telling a potential customer that they really should not use a certain fixture and listed the reasons. Someone else put in what he wanted. Someone else also got to put in the proper fixtures a year or two later.

 

[LarryFine]

Welcome to the forum!

Can anyone explain the justification for using an electronics grade panelboard EGP for computer receptacles in an office/school setting? When is it acceptable to combine general loads (including lighting, heating, A/C, fans, receptacles) with receptacles dedicated for computer equipment?

It depends on what you mean by electronics grade. Is this merely a panel intended for electronic loads only, or is that a panel with special construction? Are the details specified?

Semi-related issue: I wired an IG circuit for a restaurant's POS system, and about two weeks after they opened, I found a large drink cooler plugged into one of the orange receptacles. :roll: