Emergency lighting breaker lock
- Thread starter Pinnie
- Start date
mtnelect
HVAC & Electrical Contractor
- Location
- Southern California
- Occupation
- Contractor, C10 & C20 - Semi Retired
For the City of Los Angeles, they require it. Plus, only emergency circuits in same conduit.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician (retired)
Look at 700.12(I)(2).
My code book only goes up to 700.12(h)?
I found it sorry I haven’t had a second. It’s 700.12(h)(2)(c). This code section also discusses the em lighting circuiting.
I remember a coworker telling me that an inspector told him you have to have the em lights on the same local lighting circuit, unless there is three or more local lighting circuits in that area. Is that bogus and 700.12(H)(2) is all you need to do?
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
That was in a previous code. While the code currently permits them on a separate circuit from the same panel, I think that is very poor code. With LED lighting large areas have their normal lighting supplied by a single circuit, and if something happens to that circuit, and the EM supply is on a different circuit, you are in the dark. We have amended our local code to require the battery light supply to be on the same circuit that supplies the power for the lights in that area.
700.12(h)(2)(c) says if you choose to run a separate circuit from the same panel, the branch circuit shall be provided with a lock-on feature. Does this mean you have to lock it, simply provide a lock or just that it be a lockable breaker/disconnecting means.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Just a clip like you would use for a lockout....most of the clips for breakers can be used to lock the breaker on or lock it off. The rule stops short of requiring an actual lock.
In my opinion, even though permitted by the current code, a separate circuit for battery lights that serve an area where there is only one normal lighting circuit is very poor design.
I agree. Thank you Don.