Lights on rooftop A/C Units?

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andrewselectric

andrewselectric

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Is it required by the NEC to install lights on rooftop A/C units or could it just be a local code requirement? I have looked thru the NECH hi and low and cant find a definitive answer for ROOFTOP units.
 
Receptacles are required, within 50 feet of the unit, they don't require lights, but as always, that is minimum standards, and the installation of the lights would not be a bad idea.......I'm sure someday a HVAC tech would thank you for them.
 
racerdave3 said:
Receptacles are required, within 50 feet of the unit, they don't require lights, but as always, that is minimum standards, and the installation of the lights would not be a bad idea.......I'm sure someday a HVAC tech would thank you for them.
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25 feet....210.63...You must be thinking of disconnects within site or 50 feet
 
dcspector said:
25 feet....210.63...You must be thinking of disconnects within site or 50 feet
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The original requirement for the receptacle was for 75 feet in the 1987 NEC. We used to install lights on roof top units. Can't remember why though.
 
petersonra said:
I seem to recall that there is a code requiring aisleway illumination around equipment on a roof top.
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Bet your thinking 110.26 (D) and (E) exception. But no to the meat of issue, or if you find it, please post it.
 
Here in MA it is in the mechanical code to have a illumination at gas fired equipment. (Most RTUs here have gas furnaces) At least that is what I have been told. If it is true enforcement is spotty at best.
 
I can definitely appreciate the light, and think it is a good practice. As I wire points out, other codes demand it. I just didn't think iit was NEC, but if it is, will take my crow well done, however, don't get in to too much of hurry to light the oven!
 
As far as I know illumination of an a/c unit on a roof is not required.

Working on it during the day would be a good idea, if you go at nite remember to take a flash light.


ibew441dc
 
andrewselectric said:
My electrical inspecter says it is required by the NEC.I have always only put recepts. for that purpose as steted in 210.63
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One fast way to end this fast,Ask him nicely to site the number.You should be prepaired to have coffee and doughnuts.Paper towels are nice to so he can wipe the egg of his face.Last inspector i called down just walked away and signed me off.Never worry about making him a happy day.He opened up the can of worms now let him close it.Make him think twice next time he calls you down.Personally i love having such an easy battle.
 
Check the job specs. We just finished a mall and the engineered plans called for a receptecale and a light on each A/C unit and the type of light was speced. Since the mall also had to sign off on each store they required that they were put on and since we were doing the inspections per plan we also required them to be installed even though it is not a code requirement.
 
cowboyjwc said:
since we were doing the inspections per plan we also required them to be installed even though it is not a code requirement.
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John that just blows me away when I hear that. It is just one of those regional differences. (By the way I am not saying your wrong for doing it, only pointing out the differences. :) )

Here the inspectors only check for NEC compliance, they do not check to see the customer got everything they paid for.

Here that job is left to the owners representative, often young members of the design firm.
 
iwire said:
John that just blows me away when I hear that. It is just one of those regional differences. (By the way I am not saying your wrong for doing it, only pointing out the differences. :) )

Here the inspectors only check for NEC compliance, they do not check to see the customer got everything they paid for.

Here that job is left to the owners representative, often young members of the design firm.
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I agree. Specification compliance is the job of the engineer, owner, consultant, testing agency etc., not the inspector.
 
iwire said:
John that just blows me away when I hear that. It is just one of those regional differences. (By the way I am not saying your wrong for doing it, only pointing out the differences. :) )

Here the inspectors only check for NEC compliance, they do not check to see the customer got everything they paid for.

Here that job is left to the owners representative, often young members of the design firm.
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That's a thin line. If my design is in excess of the NEC minimums, the local inspector is required to enforce my design, he's not allowed to let the electrician redesign it. He may not complain about the type of light above a unit, but he will see that a light fixture is installed.

I realize that's not universal, but the law in New Mexico states that the only person allowed to change an architects or engineers plan is the professional who stamped it originally. An inspector should not knowlingly allow a change to go thru without the engineers approval.

Jim T
 
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