Half-hot via breaker panel vs feed thru panel

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John@FL

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Sarasota, FL
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Design Engineer (AV / Home Automation)
Hello, I am designing a Lutron QS panel based lighting control system. I am using (mainly) Lutron DIN rail breaker panels with a mixture of dimming, switching and 0-10 modules. I also need to have some receptacle circuits on dimming modules (using Lutron specialized receptacles and matching plugs as required). However, I am being told by a lighting designer that the receptacle loads must be attached to a 'feed thru' panel as opposed to a 'breaker' panel "... to comply with the NEC". I can not find anywhere in the NEC that indicates this; also, I do not see a logical reason why it would matter. I want to run main feeds to the breaker panels and then individually 'protect' each dimmed or switched load via the panel breakers. Can anyone explain why I would need the feed thru panels (and any NEC reference)? Thanks in advance.
 
The only one that can answer these questions in the person who's saying that you need to do this to "comply with the NEC". We recently used the special Lutron receptacles for the dimming of floor lamps and I don't recall using a feed-through panel. We used these:


Lutron Receptacle002.jpg
 
Hi, sorry for any confusion ... 'Feed Thru Panel' refers to the Lutron PD9-59F-120 (or HWI-PNL-8) panel which contains the dimmer / switch module, but has no circuit breakers. Each Lutron module is fed via an incoming romex 15A or 20A circuit from the electrical circuit breaker panel. In comparison, the 'Breaker Panel' refers to a Lutron PD8-65A-120L3-20 (or HWBP-8D-120L3) panel contains the dimmer/switch modules, but is fed via a single incoming feed (125A maximum rated; Lutron recommends an 80A/240vac feed). This single incoming feed provides power to the Lutron module via the included 8 @ 20A/120vac circuit breakers. I can not see any reason why the dimmed receptacle circuits would be treated any differently at the panel from dimmed lighting circuits. (Lutron 'Breaker Panels' are available with Arc Fault breakers). I've emailed the lighting designer for a reference - awaiting a response.
 
Hi all, just to update anyone who may be interested. The reason for the feed thru panel is to comply with NEC 2002, Article 210.7(C) ... it is to ensure that all receptacles within a room or area are ultimately de-energized simultaneously. This prevents someone turning off the CB for 'Bedroom 2 Receptacles' and then going to replace one, without realizing that the 'half-hot' is still energized by the Lutron panel. Ultimately, it does make sense (now that I understand it better). Thanks all.
 
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