Multi-tenant signage control by landlord

[hhsting]

I have 7 tenant spaces in strip mall setting. Each tenant space is separated by firewall. Each tenant space has junction box and series contactor for future sign. So there are total 7 contactors powered from one 20A circuit in landlord panel. Landlord will either have timeclock or photocell to control the power to the contactors.

When tenants move in they are able to provide power for the signage thru junction box and from their tenant panel. So signs would be powered from tenant's panel however landlord would be able to control power to the tenant sign thru contactors.

Is their anything in NEC 2014 that violates the above arrangment?

 

[brantmacga]

Nothing that I'm aware of that prohibits it, but take a look at 600.6 for disconnect rules.

 

[hhsting]

NEC 2014 Article 600.6 says each branch circuit supplying sign shall be controlled by an externally operable switch (signular) or circuit breaker (signular). How can you say arrangment in post #1 is not prohibited by 600.6?

 

[hbiss]

You usually have a disconnect switch mounted on the side of the sign. Many signs come that way.

Also, how is this arrangement any different than if the tenant had their own time clock or switch controlling the sign instead if the contacts on a contactor?

-Hal

 

[hhsting]

You usually have a disconnect switch mounted on the side of the sign. Many signs come that way.

Also, how is this arrangement any different than if the tenant had their own time clock or switch controlling the sign instead if the contacts on a contactor?

-Hal

I didnt know landlord can or are allowed to control power to tenant sign I mean its tenant sign powered from tenant panel. Anyways I was just wondering if post #1 situation had any NEC article denying such thing. 600.6 perhaps?

 

[hbiss]

Why not? I can see the reason being that the landlord wants them to come on all at the same time. The strip mall would look ghetto if some signs were on and others off under the control of the tenants.

-Hal

 

[hhsting]

Why not? I can see the reason being that the landlord wants them to come on all at the same time. The strip mall would look ghetto if some signs were on and others off under the control of the tenants.

-Hal

Here is the reason maintanance guy or electrician comes into to do work business start at 9:00 and he comes in at 8:50 thinking oh sign is off starts doing work while at 9:00 landlord automatic controlled contactor kicks on and zap. No idea that breaker was not turned off. Is that reason enough not having two switches?

 

[roger]

Here is the reason maintanance guy or electrician comes into to do work business start at 9:00 and he comes in at 8:50 thinking oh sign is off starts doing work while at 9:00 landlord automatic controlled contactor kicks on and zap. No idea that breaker was not turned off. Is that reason enough not having two switches?

Maintenance guy should be a qualified individual meaning he should know how to make things safe before working on them so IOW's, don't worry about it.

Here's a test, find the "what if" article section in the NEC and post it here.

Roger

 

[hbiss]

Here is the reason maintanance guy or electrician comes into to do work business start at 9:00 and he comes in at 8:50 thinking oh sign is off starts doing work while at 9:00 landlord automatic controlled contactor kicks on and zap. No idea that breaker was not turned off. Is that reason enough not having two switches?

There is. That's why a disconnect switch is required on or next to the sign. Someone doing maintenance shouldn't have to even go inside the premises to shut it down.

-Hal

 

[kwired]

Control of the sign isn't really an art 600 issue.

There still needs to be a disconnecting means for the sign that complies with art 600 regardless of where the circuit originates or whatever controls exist before you get to the sign.

A circuit in one occupancy supplied from another occupancy might be questionable though. If I were to do something like this I would probably prefer a class 2 control circuit even if class 1 is otherwise allowed.