Is a LED nightlite receptacle plate at a Lighting Outlet??

[user 100]

You still have a receptacle outlet. The LED wallplate is really no different than a plug-in LED nightlight; they arent hardwired. It isnt a luminaire any more than the LED indicators on GFCI receptacles are 'luminaires'.

I agree with this- this is more plug and play than anything else. The only difference betwixt it and what you mentioned is that screw.

Now onto the bigger questions:

Are those tabs considered an outlet or are the outlet screws the outlet or are the wires connected to the receptacle the outlet.........

Are receptacle terminals listed to be used in this way....

There... that should clear up the confusion

What does the AHJ think?

Ultimately this.

But I cannot see an ahj requiring afci just for this and even if they did, not gonna happen.

OTOH, if someone can sell it and make a little extra money, more power to them.
There certainly is nothing that says they cant do that.

 

[al hildenbrand]

You still have a receptacle outlet.

Yes, I think so too. The Receptacle Outlet is not changed.

The LED wallplate is really no different than a plug-in LED nightlight; they arent hardwired.

What comprises "hardwired"? Is a stab-on circuit breaker not "hardwired"? Seems to me both require a tool to remove cover screw(s) in order to detach.

It isnt a luminaire any more than the LED indicators on GFCI receptacles are 'luminaires'.

Have you had a chance to look at the marketing for this Integral Night Light Cover Plate? It has a photoeye to shut off the integral LEDs when ambient light levels are high. That is not "indicating" anything about a GFCI's operational status. The Integral Night Light Cover Plate is shown lighting darkened places of dark rooms, i.e., being a light source. . . a luminaire.

My question back to you is, what part of the 2017 NEC Article 100 definition of Luminaire (I've posted it above, copied from the 2017 NEC) does the Integral Night Light Cover Plate not meet?

 

[mgookin]

Looking at that picture in post #7 I'd want AFCI on it if it were in my house. It looks like a junk design that's going to arc one day. How much tension is on that? What happens when it gets bumped?

I realize the load is close to nil, but it still looks like junk.

 

[JFletcher]

Yes, I think so too. The Receptacle Outlet is not changed.

Yeah, and I dont think that LED nightlight plate makes it a lighting outlet.

What comprises "hardwired"? Is a stab-on circuit breaker not "hardwired"? Seems to me both require a tool to remove cover screw(s) in order to detach.

"Hard wiring" to me is the wiring only. Either the connection is direct wired to the device/appliance, like an oven, water heater, or duplex receptacle, or it's not (cord and plug). The nightlight cover plate is a bit different but there is no branch wiring going to it. If it were designed to go over the existing coverplate and plug into a receptacle (think a 6 way power block with lights in it), it would be user equipment.

Have you had a chance to look at the marketing for this Integral Night Light Cover Plate? It has a photoeye to shut off the integral LEDs when ambient light levels are high. That is not "indicating" anything about a GFCI's operational status. The Integral Night Light Cover Plate is shown lighting darkened places of dark rooms, i.e., being a light source. . . a luminaire.

I havent looked at its specs.

My question back to you is, what part of the 2017 NEC Article 100 definition of Luminaire (I've posted it above, copied from the 2017 NEC) does the Integral Night Light Cover Plate not meet?

2017 NEC Article 100
Lighting Outlet. An outlet intended for the direct connection of a lampholder or a luminaire.

Luminaire. A complete lighting unit consisting of a light source, such as a lamp or lamps, together with the parts designed to position the light source and connect it to the power supply. It may also include parts to protect the light source or the ballast or to distribute the light. A lampholder itself is not a luminaire.

I suppose by definition it does, tho a receptacle isnt intended to be a lighting outlet. Adding one of those coverplates is functionally no different than plugging in a small nightlight. The reason I brought up GFCIs is that the small indicator light that is always lit (on some models) would technically qualify as a luminaire as well, but they obviously arent considered luminaires, otherwise circuits that require only GFCI protection would have to have AFCI too if that GFCI protection was via an indicating receptacle.

I dont see anyone putting in extra $50 AFCI breakers to install these coverplates regardless of the intent or actual wording of the code. On new-con, the AFCI will probably already be there, and on older installs, the HO isnt calling an EC to put them in.

 

[kwired]

Yeah, and I dont think that LED nightlight plate makes it a lighting outlet.



"Hard wiring" to me is the wiring only. Either the connection is direct wired to the device/appliance, like an oven, water heater, or duplex receptacle, or it's not (cord and plug). The nightlight cover plate is a bit different but there is no branch wiring going to it. If it were designed to go over the existing coverplate and plug into a receptacle (think a 6 way power block with lights in it), it would be user equipment.





I havent looked at its specs.



2017 NEC Article 100
Lighting Outlet. An outlet intended for the direct connection of a lampholder or a luminaire.

Luminaire. A complete lighting unit consisting of a light source, such as a lamp or lamps, together with the parts designed to position the light source and connect it to the power supply. It may also include parts to protect the light source or the ballast or to distribute the light. A lampholder itself is not a luminaire.

I suppose by definition it does, tho a receptacle isnt intended to be a lighting outlet. Adding one of those coverplates is functionally no different than plugging in a small nightlight. The reason I brought up GFCIs is that the small indicator light that is always lit (on some models) would technically qualify as a luminaire as well, but they obviously arent considered luminaires, otherwise circuits that require only GFCI protection would have to have AFCI too if that GFCI protection was via an indicating receptacle.

I dont see anyone putting in extra $50 AFCI breakers to install these coverplates regardless of the intent or actual wording of the code. On new-con, the AFCI will probably already be there, and on older installs, the HO isnt calling an EC to put them in.

Now we need to know if this receptacle plate with lights on it is listed as a luminaire, don't we?

 

[peter d]

I dont see anyone putting in extra $50 AFCI breakers to install these coverplates regardless of the intent or actual wording of the code. On new-con, the AFCI will probably already be there, and on older installs, the HO isnt calling an EC to put them in.

That's the bottom line. As I said earlier, if I'm putting these LED wallplates on, there's no way I'm installing AFCI's.