Lighting Contactor Vs manual switches

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l3city

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Hi fellas, I have this situation. I am doing 277V lighting for a big vegetable processing plant. The plant consists of 5 processing spaces and each is going to have 3-way switching, 277V lighting. The plant will operate 24/7. A question came up about having only manual switches or going with lighting contactors. I know probably this is a design issue, but what are the advantages and disadvantages for these 2-options.
thanks ahead for any input
regards
 
If the plant is 24/7 why do we need three way switchs? the only advantage I see is the switchs could be single pole that operate the lights using a lighting contactor. It would cost more to install but you could turn on larger loads..
 
Is the lighting going to be HID? If so, I wouldn't use wall switches unless the owner specifically wants them, and understands that yes, he does employ the kind of yokel who thinks it's funny to blink the lights off, but doesn't understand that it'll be 10 minutes until they come back.

IMHO, I think a single contactor location, along with just enough nightlighting to get to that location from each entrance is usually the best way to go.
 
As said before, he plant will operate 24/7. In case we decide to go with the lighting contactors, don't we need a lighting control switch at each "space" per NEC 210.70? Yes, there will be the "funny" who will play with the lights if we have manual swithes, but why probably this will not happen if we have lighting control switches at each space (if using llighting contactors)?
regards
 
If that place is running 24/7 IMO better off just use the breaker to actvie and deactvie the lighting circuits [ i know some have SWD or HID rating on it ]

or use the lighting contractor will work too.

3 way switch in 24/7 place humm naw unless someone will cuss for 10-30 min until the HID restrike and the other thing if the light go out and have to wait for the HID to restrike it can affect the production in the place also.

Merci, Marc
 
Sorry, l3city...my approach would be applicable to each space, not just one shot for the whole building. My main point was in regards to the 3-way switching. True 3-way switching adds a lot of conductor cost and more voltage drop in a large space.

Yeah...the goofs can still play with the lights, but generally speaking, with a single control point, everybody knows where the lights got turned off, making it easier to spot the culprit, and thereby discouraging the idiot.
 
13 city,

How many circuits per area, if more than one a contactor would be the less

expensive way. Depending on the size of the areas, three way sw's would

have to go all that distance before it hit the first light. Depending on panel

location, this distance will increace with each area.

IMO most industrial jobs will use the lighting contactor, watch your SCCR if

close to the main service.
 
l3city said:
don't we need a lighting control switch at each "space" per NEC 210.70?
Click to expand...

It's not a dwelling unit and 210.70 does not apply.

You do not have to provide any switches at all.

Most places like this will have either a building management system controlling contactors or perhaps switches in key persons office.

But a 24/7 operation is just as likely not have any switches and simply use the breakers if the need comes to shut the lights off.
 
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