NEC AND Energy code

[brother]

We have a project where they adding more receptacles ( just 3 at present)to a janitors office and another cubicle offices. I remember the Nec requiring the controlled receptacle to have an identification but I cant recall the article at present. What Nec article is it?

Even though this is just 3 outlets they are enforcing the energy code and saying any new outlets need to have 50% of them on Entergy. Management system even though the exist outlets are not.

Im just curious, Has any other areas or cities required this ( energy code) for small projects even just 3 receptacles. Most people dont like the receptacles shutting off automatically on them ( sometimes those sensors dont pick up non moving people),but unfortunately it is being enforced on small jobs (with very few exceptions) and it does drive up the costs.

What do you think of this.?

 

[electrofelon]

Energy code enforcement seems to vary widely. In Washington, LAbor and industries (does electrical inspections statewide in non incorporated areas or incorporated that don't do their own) apparently is not enforcing the energy code. An inspector told me that this is because although the energy code is law, the lawmakers never said who was in charge of enforcing it . City of Seattle seems to enforce the basic parts of it (occupancy sensors, controlled outlets) for commercial projects.

 

[dkidd]

2014 Code Language:

406.3(E) Controlled Receptacle Marking.

All nonlocking type, 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles that are controlled by an automatic control device, or that incorporate control features that remove power from the outlet for the purpose of energy management or building automation, shall be marked with the symbol shown in Figure 406.3(E) and located on the controlled receptacle outlet where visible after installation.

 

[kwired]

2014 Code Language:

406.3(E) Controlled Receptacle Marking.

All nonlocking type, 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles that are controlled by an automatic control device, or that incorporate control features that remove power from the outlet for the purpose of energy management or building automation, shall be marked with the symbol shown in Figure 406.3(E) and located on the controlled receptacle outlet where visible after installation.

We have a project where they adding more receptacles ( just 3 at present)to a janitors office and another cubicle offices. I remember the Nec requiring the controlled receptacle to have an identification but I cant recall the article at present. What Nec article is it?

Even though this is just 3 outlets they are enforcing the energy code and saying any new outlets need to have 50% of them on Entergy. Management system even though the exist outlets are not.

Im just curious, Has any other areas or cities required this ( energy code) for small projects even just 3 receptacles. Most people dont like the receptacles shutting off automatically on them ( sometimes those sensors dont pick up non moving people),but unfortunately it is being enforced on small jobs (with very few exceptions) and it does drive up the costs.

What do you think of this.?

What is the purpose for said receptacles?

General use receptacles or even dedicated use but not controlled for energy management or building automation have no requirement for such identification.

 

[dkidd]

What is the purpose for said receptacles?

Save energy

General use receptacles or even dedicated use but not controlled for energy management or building automation have no requirement for such identification.

No one said they did

 

[Elect117]

Energy code enforcement seems to vary widely. In Washington, LAbor and industries (does electrical inspections statewide in non incorporated areas or incorporated that don't do their own) apparently is not enforcing the energy code. An inspector told me that this is because although the energy code is law, the lawmakers never said who was in charge of enforcing it . City of Seattle seems to enforce the basic parts of it (occupancy sensors, controlled outlets) for commercial projects.

To your point, in California we have energy code and green building code. The energy code is difficult to understand. And I am saying that as an Engineer.

For the most part, people just use a program, plug it in, and then a 3rd party has to verify. They get a special certification through the state. I have zero clue as to why they did it that way. My guess is it is some testing companies lobby.

Some locals ask for the verification and others, mostly when inspectors were around before that code was adopted, don't. They say things like, "it isn't safety code so do what you will." Though they tend to care more when it is a new build.

 

[kwired]

Save energy

No one said they did

Now you have me confused. The receptacle only passes on energy.

My guess is the energy management control system is for saving energy.

I guess maybe I should have worded the question better. What is the receptacles intended to serve?

Not all loads are going to be suitable or desired to be automatically controlled by such a management system.

Janitors office seems to be somewhat typical place for some items that you may not want controlled and is part of why I asked.

 

[electrofelon]

To your point, in California we have energy code and green building code. The energy code is difficult to understand. And I am saying that as an Engineer.

For the most part, people just use a program, plug it in, and then a 3rd party has to verify. They get a special certification through the state. I have zero clue as to why they did it that way. My guess is it is some testing companies lobby.

Some locals ask for the verification and others, mostly when inspectors were around before that code was adopted, don't. They say things like, "it isn't safety code so do what you will." Though they tend to care more when it is a new build.

Yeah I think what often happens is - you know how these code documents are - the energy code is typically just another overly complex poorly worded hard to understand document, the honestly inspectors and inspection departments don't have the time and resources to learn train and enforce. Just dealing with the NEC is bad enough.

 

[kwired]

Maybe they should plug the energy management controller into one of the controlled receptacles?

 

[brother]

Now you have me confused. The receptacle only passes on energy.

My guess is the energy management control system is for saving energy.

I guess maybe I should have worded the question better. What is the receptacles intended to serve?

Not all loads are going to be suitable or desired to be automatically controlled by such a management system.

Janitors office seems to be somewhat typical place for some items that you may not want controlled and is part of why I asked.

The janitor office is just that, an office. They are not charging special equipment over night. Even if they did, the code only requires 50% to be controlled. I still think it was an over step it making it a requirement, but it appears to be getting more and more enforced. Runs up the cost of a basic install.

 

[ron]

Automatic receptacle control is from the Energy Code, not the NEC. Find which Energy code is being enforced in your jurisdiction. For example, if the IECC 2024 has been adopted as code, Section C405.12 is the applicable section and requires 50% of receptacles in enclosed offices to be controlled. See the language here: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/I...ergy-efficiency#IECC2024P1_CE_Ch04_SecC405.12
We do the occupancy control option and use the same lighting occ sensor / power pack to do the lights and 1/2 recepts in the office.

 

[gene6]

Im just curious, Has any other areas or cities required this ( energy code) for small projects even just 3 receptacles. Most people dont like the receptacles shutting off automatically on them ( sometimes those sensors dont pick up non moving people),but unfortunately it is being enforced on small jobs (with very few exceptions) and it does drive up the costs.

What do you think of this.?

Apparently we've had the energy code for over 15 years and it was not enforced, other than lighting.
Since the energy crisis in the 70's I think we started getting special lighting controls and sensors, more efficient transformers and motors not sure when they became code but they usually make too much economic sense to not do.
Energy Code enforcement changed during the lockdown, a bunch of the local inspector agencies got trained on the energy code online and the main thing I immediately noticed is they will spot egregious voltage drop errors. Also motor and transformer efficiency are checked because thats easy for them to do.
I would worry more about voltage drop and the motor / transformer efficiency as the cost of those mistakes can really add up.

 

[Steve16]

Energy code allows you to put them on a timeclock, however it doesn't really specify how to set the timeclock

1. 2.1.A scheduled basis using a time-of-day operated control device that turns receptacle power off at specific programmed times and can be programmed separately for each day of the week. The control device shall be configured to provide an independent schedule for each portion of the building of not more than 5,000 square feet (464.5 m2) and not more than one floor. The occupant shall be able to manually override an area for not more than 2 hours. Any individual override switch shall control the receptacles of not more than 5,000 feet (1524 m).

 

[Joe.B]

I have zero clue as to why they did it that way.

California loves to pass new laws and regulations. For example, we had accessibility codes before the ADA, we have crazy strict seismic laws, and the energy code (and green building code) are unique to CA. My understanding is that when CA passed the first energy codes into effect there were basically two responses from local building departments. Either "we don't give a hoot about that," or "we don't have time for that."

Lawmakers doubled down and kept increasing regulations, and building departments kept either digging their heels in, or not having time and staff. The registries and third party inspectors were the state's attempt to continue ratcheting up regulations while acknowledging that local building departments already had enough to deal with.

In my area it's been a complete failure.

 

[gadfly56]

What, exactly, is the supposed purpose of having 50% of the outlets on an energy management system? I don't think the pencil sharpener is creating a significant vampire drain on the electrical grid.

 

[hillbilly1]

It probably accomplished plug strip sales! LOL!

 

[electrofelon]

What, exactly, is the supposed purpose of having 50% of the outlets on an energy management system? I don't think the pencil sharpener is creating a significant vampire drain on the electrical grid.

I do think you would be surprised at how much all this stuff that stays on 24/7 does really add up. Think about a zillion computers, copy machines, flux capacitor charger, etc. That said, I am skeptical how effective controlled outlets are as 90% of the time people will just avoid them or they will be bypassed after inspection.

 

[kwired]

Energy code allows you to put them on a timeclock, however it doesn't really specify how to set the timeclock

Don't deal with energy codes around here, but I can see users figuring out what gets controlled simply not using those receptacles as much as possible especially for anything they think is important.

For pretty much my entire career I have occasionally seen people avoid plugging things into GFCI receptacles if possible. One the first times I really noticed this was in a commercial garage. I happened to notice some bench top receptacles where none the GFCI receptacles had anything plugged into them. The apparently did not know the non GFCI receptacles they were plugging things into still had the same protection.

 

[gadfly56]

Energy code allows you to put them on a timeclock, however it doesn't really specify how to set the timeclock

1. 2.1.A scheduled basis using a time-of-day operated control device that turns receptacle power off at specific programmed times and can be programmed separately for each day of the week. The control device shall be configured to provide an independent schedule for each portion of the building of not more than 5,000 square feet (464.5 m2) and not more than one floor. The occupant shall be able to manually override an area for not more than 2 hours. Any individual override switch shall control the receptacles of not more than 5,000 feet (1524 m).

OK then. Receptacles off at 11:55pm and on at 12:05am.