Florida Energy Code FYI

[bphgravity]

Per Section 13-413 of the 2004 Florida Building Code, all non-dwelling buildings with power ditribution systems must comply with maximum voltage drop allowances. Feeders are limited to 2% and branch circuits are limited to 3%.

Also per 13-415, Interior lighting in buildings larger than 5,000 ft? shall be controlled with an automatic control device to shut offbuilding lighting in all spaces. This automatic means shall basically be a programmable timer system, occupancy sensors, or other control methods.

All exterior lighting shall be controlled by a photosensor or astronomical time switch that is capable of automatically turning off the exterior lighting when sufficient daylight or when the lighting is no longer required.

Just some new stuff on the horizon for us Florida guys.

 

[steve66]

Re: Florida Energy Code FYI

What kind of load is going to be used to calculate the voltage drop??

A realistic load?

Or the NEC calculated load?

Steve

 

[bphgravity]

Re: Florida Energy Code FYI

The code uses the term "design load" whatever that means.

 

[charlie b]

Re: Florida Energy Code FYI

The only "design process" of which I am aware follows Article 220 of the NEC. I would expect that the "design load" is the result of that design process.

 

[steve66]

Re: Florida Energy Code FYI

It just doesn't seem reasonable to design feeders for a voltage drop caused by a load that will never occur.

It also takes resources and energy to spit out reels of large copper wire to be installed for an imagined voltage drop.

Sorry to vent, and I'm not aiming this at Brian or Charlie. I realize you guys didn't come up with this.

Actually, I'm not even in Florida, so it doesn't even effect me. Never mind.