I need help locating a definition of a code Violation in the NEC

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classiccarjack

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Hello All,

I am new here and after spending 30 years in the automotive industry, I came aboard working in Life Safety involving Battery Back Up Systems. These systems that I have become familiar with are Duallite, Myers, CPI, Crucial Power, and etc. I have been active for 4 years after spending one year in training with a local Life Safety Company.

I really need some help with locating some documentation. About a year ago I read an article involving golf cart batteries being in violation of NEC. What this article entailed was the fact that a golf cart battery is not designed for a lighting inverter, and could be a potential fire hazard. I know that these batteries do not have a functional safety listing mark or the backwards "RU" on them. I feel that they are not intended for a constant state of charge, and may eventually overheat from becoming overcharged in this system. I know that this action that has occurred is Illegal, but I cannot find the proper documentation to prove it. I really want to help get these guys on the right path and keep them safe.

Please advise me on this issue. I really need some help with this, I have spent over 6 hours looking for this documentation and I cannot locate it anywhere.
 
classiccarjack said:
Hello All,

I am new here and after spending 30 years in the automotive industry, I came aboard working in Life Safety involving Battery Back Up Systems. These systems that I have become familiar with are Duallite, Myers, CPI, Crucial Power, and etc. I have been active for 4 years after spending one year in training with a local Life Safety Company.

I really need some help with locating some documentation. About a year ago I read an article involving golf cart batteries being in violation of NEC. What this article entailed was the fact that a golf cart battery is not designed for a lighting inverter, and could be a potential fire hazard. I know that these batteries do not have a functional safety listing mark or the backwards "RU" on them. I feel that they are not intended for a constant state of charge, and may eventually overheat from becoming overcharged in this system. I know that this action that has occurred is Illegal, but I cannot find the proper documentation to prove it. I really want to help get these guys on the right path and keep them safe.

Please advise me on this issue. I really need some help with this, I have spent over 6 hours looking for this documentation and I cannot locate it anywhere.
Click to expand...

What the NEC has to say would pretty much be that using the inverter contrary to the manufacturer's instruction is a violation. What is the position of the manufacturer on the type of battery used?

The same goes for the batteries. They must also be used in accordance to their instructions to be accepted.
 
700.12(A)

For a sealed battery, the container shall not be required
to be transparent. However, for the lead acid battery that
requires water additions, transparent or translucent containers
shall be furnished. Automotive-type batteries shall not
be used.
 
classiccarjack said:
About a year ago I read an article involving golf cart batteries being in violation of NEC. What this article entailed was the fact that a golf cart battery is not designed for a lighting inverter, and could be a potential fire hazard. I feel that they are not intended for a constant state of charge, and may eventually overheat from becoming overcharged in this system.
Click to expand...

That's itself not as much a cell/battery issue as a charger issue. A properly-designed charger can float a cell forever without cooking it (and a bad charger will overcharge and cook almost anything). Having said that, the chemistry of the plates will make a difference (lead-calcium vs lead-antimony vs lead-selenium) in the service life of the battery.

A better question is what type of batteries the charger/inverter system is designed for. For instance, I think all Lithonia systems are designed for lead-calcium cells; doesn't make sense to use something else without looking at the cost/rated life/etc.
 
petersonra said:
I am not real sure that a battery has to be used in accordance with its listing since I don't believe batteries are typically listed.
Click to expand...

(Never really thought about this before.... always used mfg-approved or equiv. batteries in anything bigger than an exit light or small UPS)
There is UL 1989 (Standard for Standby Batteries) and various companies do make them.

On the flip side, the system is probably only considered as listed when using the specified batteries, so you could use golf cart batteries but would lose that listing (ref- UL924 emergency lighting systems and probably others).
 
K8MHZ said:
I disagree. Automotive includes all forms of self propelled vehicles.
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There are similarities, but also great differences.
Automotive batteries are SLI (Starting, Lights, and Ignition) units designed for high current shallow discharge with immediate recharge.
Golf cart batteries are designed for limited current, deep discharge, and same day recharging.
Forklift batteries are designed for very deep discharge with high rate recharge at end of shift.
It is true, however, that UPS and emergency lighting batteries are typically designed for float service with little or no maintenance and very infrequent discharge with slow recharge.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
dkidd said:
700.12(A)

For a sealed battery, the container shall not be required
to be transparent. However, for the lead acid battery that
requires water additions, transparent or translucent containers
shall be furnished. Automotive-type batteries shall not
be used.
Click to expand...

Thank You dkidd! That is very helpful.
 
Thank you for responding so fast everyone. I am going to look into what Dkidd posted and pass it along to these guys if it seems viable. I am just looking out for the well being of others without coming across as being a pest...
 
UL 924 is the Standard for Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment


If the arrangement of battery and charger is not UL 924 listed as an assembly to power emergency lighting, it is not being used per NEC Section 110.3
 
K8MHZ said:
I disagree. Automotive includes all forms of self propelled vehicles.
Click to expand...
Not from a battery perspective. Golf cart batteries are used pretty frequently in off-grid and backup PV systems but automotive batteries are not suitable.

Batteries for starting engines are designed to deliver high current short duration bursts of power, while batteries for running electric motors are made for lower current much longer duration delivery of power. They are not interchangeable.
 
not to get off topic, but the above description of a "car battery" is exactly what I think you would want in an emergency lighting situation
hence the use of non-deepcycle cells in most applications (there just much smaller)

check most UPS'es no deep cycles there..
my GE refrigerator size UPS has 48 car battery size AGM's in it... but they are not deep cycle.

my point is: my vote would NOT be to use deepcycle cells for this type of work, they are not purposed for it.
BUT I don't have any code to support that stance, I would check with the manufacturer of the battery, they would most likely agree.
deep cycle needs to be deep cycled ..... regularly.

IMHO..

when asked (once) I did replace the smaller 12v cell with a 12aH battery, for a longer run time..

PS: its very hard to find a 12v emergency light these days..
 
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