Receptacle Control - Ashrae

Status
Not open for further replies.
E

ElectDesigner

Member
Location
Ontario, Canada
An ASHRAE requirement when designing office spaces is that 50% of the receptacles in the office be controlled based on occupancy. This is in addition to the lighting requirements (30-70% dimming,etc)

Say I have a room with 2 fixtures and two receptacles, let's assume lighting is on the 347V circuit. So in order to meet this criteria would we need two occupancy sensors in each office? One to control lighting, one for receptacle?

The other issue is that in some cases the office layout is not known, even if it is known which receptacles do we control? Sometimes we just provide a junction box with a few circuits , which is then connected to a furniture island/system furniture - in this case it is not known before hand which circuits will be used for what - how do we control /which circuits?
 
Last edited:
IMO, an "International technical society organized to advance the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration" should mind their own business. :happyyes:
 
ElectDesigner said:
An ASHRAE requirement when designing office spaces is that 50% of the receptacles in the office be controlled based on occupancy. This is in addition to the lighting requirements (30-70% dimming,etc)

Say I have a room with 2 fixtures and two receptacles, let's assume lighting is on the 347V circuit. So in order to meet this criteria would we need two occupancy sensors in each office? One to control lighting, one for receptacle?

The other issue is that in some cases the office layout is not known, even if it is known which receptacles do we control? Sometimes we just provide a junction box with a few circuits , which is then connected to a furniture island/system furniture - in this case it is not known before hand which circuits will be used for what - how do we control /which circuits?
Click to expand...

That's the first I've heard of that. Which version of ASHRAE 90.1 is that?

These energy codes have gotten crazy. It's almost gotten to the point where I spend more time complying with energy codes than all the other codes combined.

They are pushing highly complex control systems off onto building owners who don't understand them, and won't know how to use them, and probably can't maintain them.

And now we have to control receptacles? People are going to be so happy when their computer looses power every night.

Will a plug strip with a built in occupancy sensor meet the requirements? Or do the "controlled" outlets have to be permenately installed and hard wired?
 
I just did an electronic search for "recpetacles" in 2007 ASHRAE 90.1 code and didn't find it.

Whover told you that it has to be done should give you chapter and verse.
 
ElectDesigner said:
...Say I have a room with 2 fixtures and two receptacles, let's assume lighting is on the 347V circuit. So in order to meet this criteria would we need two occupancy sensors in each office? One to control lighting, one for receptacle?
Click to expand...
Perhaps put lighting and receptacle on the same occupancy sensor.

There is one advantage to putting them on separate sensors... where the receptacle sensor has a bypass feature. :happyyes:

ElectDesigner said:
The other issue is that in some cases the office layout is not known, even if it is known which receptacles do we control? Sometimes we just provide a junction box with a few circuits , which is then connected to a furniture island/system furniture - in this case it is not known before hand which circuits will be used for what - how do we control /which circuits?
Click to expand...
I going to surmise that under such a requirement, we will end up making all the receptacles controlled and provide bypass for individual ones... those that must remain on 24/7.
 
I've been pushing the plug strips for years now, and have yet to get an Owner to sign off on them.

Our most energy-conscious client, who has a full-time energy consultant sit in every design meeting, they require everything be either LED or 25W 4-foot T8 lamps - I pitched the plug strips to them, and they didn't see the point. They have too many computers that need to stay on all night. They are satisfied with the juice consumed in sleep mode for both monitors and computers.

This has the effect of shutting off task lights and radios, and maybe a fan or heater if people are allowed to have them. Do you think people are going to put these loads on the switched outlets? No way, they will add extension cords.

So, as a proponent of controlling plug loads, I can safely say the market is not ready for plug load control, the market is adapting to avoid it by using more energy efficient equipment, and where the market is not adapting they will passively resist the hardwiring by using using unsafe wire methods (extension cords). Not to mention it will cost more money.

I generally like the advances ASHRAE 90.1 makes, but this one sounds like a terrible mistake.
 
Smart $ said:
Perhaps put lighting and receptacle on the same occupancy sensor.

There is one advantage to putting them on separate sensors... where the receptacle sensor has a bypass feature. :happyyes:

...
Click to expand...
Or put them both on one sensor and add an external bypass for the receptacle (i.e. a standard 3-way wall switch)
 
ASHRAE 90.1-2010

ASHRAE 90.1-2010

The energy standard i was referring to is the ASHRAE 90.1-2010. It depends on which version of the standard your state or province is following. But it will only be a matter of time you start seeing these requirements.

Im just pasting an email i received today, here are a few notable changes:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIGHTING CONTROL REQUIREMENTS

New (2010) (section 9.4.1)
•All spaces require a control device for lighting that must be manual on OR auto on to 50% or less

Previous (2007)
•Enclosed spaces required a control for general lighting that could be either manual or automatic

Changes
•Lighting must have a manual on control OR automatic with the fixtures wired so no more than 50% of the general lighting comes on

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIGHTING SHUTOFF REQUIREMENTS

New (2010) (section 9.4.1.1)
•Interior lighting in buildings shall have an automatic control to shut off lighting in all spaces

Previous (2007)
•Required only for Classrooms / Conference and Meeting Rooms / Employee Lunch and Break Rooms

Changes
•Sensors and Time Switches are the only products that can accomplish this and comply with the new requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SPACE CONTROL REQUIREMENTS New (2010) (section 9.4.1.2)

•Each space enclosed by ceiling height partitions will have at least one independent control device within that space.
•Lighting will have at least one independent control step between 30% - 70% in addition to all off.
•A sensor or time switch must shut off all lighting in the space within 30 minutes of vacancy.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New (2010)
Spaces that require automatic shutoff of lighting within 30 minutes after vacancy
•Classrooms / Lecture Halls
•Conference / Meeting / Training Rooms
•Employee lunch and break rooms
•Storage and Supply rooms between 50 & 1000 sq. ft.
•Copier & Printer Rooms
•Office spaces up to 250sq. ft.
•Rest Rooms / Dressing / Fitting Rooms / Locker Rooms

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REDUCTION OF LIGHT LEVELS
New (2010)
•Enclosed spaces must have the ability to reduce the lighting by 30-70% in addition to turning all lighting off.

Previous (2007)
•Not previously included

Changes
•Lighting controls and/or the power wiring must allow for a 30-70% reduction in light levels and provide a means to shut lighting off

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DAYLIGHTING CONTROL REQUIREMENTS
New (2010) (section 9.4.1.4 / 9.4.1.5)
•Enclosed spaces with open sides of 250 sq. ft. or greater or all areas 900 sq. ft. or greater with top lighting must have multilevel daylight control Previous

(2007)
•Previously not included

Changes
•Controls must automatically adjust the lighting in the defined space. This will include spaces with windows and skylights

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RECEPTACLE CONTROL REQUIREMENTS
New (2010) (section 8.4.2)
•Private offices / Open offices, and Computer Classrooms must have 50% of receptacles shut off automatically

Previous (2007)
•Previously not included

Changes
•Plug loads must now be incorporated into the occupancy controls to shut off when certain areas are unoccupied

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PARKING GARAGE CONTROL REQUIREMENTS
New (2010) (section 9.4.1.3)
•Lighting in garages must automatically shut off / reduce by 30% minimum of the connected power within 30 minutes of vacancy / automatic daylighting control is required for luminaires within 6m of an open sided parking structure (40%).

Previous (2007)
•Previously not included

Changes
•Basically parking garages will now have the same requirements as indoor spaces

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROL REQUIREMENTS
New (2010) (section 9.4.1.7)
•Lighting must be turned off during daylight hours / Lighting must be controlled during the night to reduce levels or turn off – depending on it’s purpose
Previous (2007)
•Lighting must be turned off during the day / control must be provided through photocell, time switch, or astronomical time clock

Changes
•Exterior lighting will now need to shut off or reduce levels part way through the night

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
steve66 said:
That's the first I've heard of that. Which version of ASHRAE 90.1 is that?

These energy codes have gotten crazy. It's almost gotten to the point where I spend more time complying with energy codes than all the other codes combined.

They are pushing highly complex control systems off onto building owners who don't understand them, and won't know how to use them, and probably can't maintain them.

And now we have to control receptacles? People are going to be so happy when their computer looses power every night.

Will a plug strip with a built in occupancy sensor meet the requirements? Or do the "controlled" outlets have to be permenately installed and hard wired?
Click to expand...

90.1 2010

Yes a plug strip (with occupancy sensor) is a code compliant solution for automatic plug load control. Here is an example from wattstopper:
http://www.wattstopper.com/products/plug-load-controls/idp-3050.aspx#.UFfBPqPoayg

plugload.jpg
 
ElectDesigner said:
The energy standard i was referring to is the ASHRAE 90.1-2010. It depends on which version of the standard your state or province is following. But it will only be a matter of time you start seeing these requirements.

Im just pasting an email i received today, here are a few notable changes:
Click to expand...



I never even heard of ASHRAE in my time in the business even tho it existed,I looked it up .It was founded in 1894 so its been around a while;). It also appears it's having more to do with the rules governing the electrical requirements and their workings.I see that as a positive.

The changes quoted and coming are interesting and I can see the need.It appears its coming to a full blown application of programmable controllers comparable to the advent of same during the late 60's and early 70's for motor control and process instrumentation. It boils down to a new way of doing things which in turn creates new avenues of design and installation.

I'm all for it,sure there will be a few wrinkles but the night guard on duty will now probably have written into his job description of duties a blurb about checking to see if the master PC is on and functioning.:thumbsup:

Onward, this is progress.

dick
 
Last edited by a moderator:
steve66 said:
They are pushing highly complex control systems off onto building owners who don't understand them, and won't know how to use them, and probably can't maintain them.
Click to expand...

Amen, and the contractors brought in to service it will liklely not understand it either which quickly leads to the EC telling the customer 'this is stupid, I can bypass it all'.


And now we have to control receptacles? People are going to be so happy when their computer looses power every night.
Click to expand...

I can't think of a single thing that consumes power that I would be happy if it shut off when I left the room.

PCs, chargers, entertainment equipment etc. When you kill the power to a lot of things like TVs or cable boxes they lose programming.
 
iwire said:
Amen, and the contractors brought in to service it will liklely not understand it either which quickly leads to the EC telling the customer 'this is stupid, I can bypass it all'.
Click to expand...

But what really PO's me is that the HVAC people can still super cool the air down to 60 degrees and use electric reheat to bring it all back up to a comfortable temperature. Talk about waste. And ASHRAE is supposed to be a heating and air conditioning group.

Everyone talks about how lighting uses 30%- 50% of the power that a building uses. I don't believe it - definately not here in the Midwest where we have 100 degree summer days and 0 degree winter days.

I looked at one building and the supply and return fan used more power than all the lighting in the building. That was just the fans - not counting any heating and cooling.

And most of the lighting is off for 12 hours a day or more. The fans run 24X7 and the heating and cooling probably does too.
 
dicklaxt said:
...The changes quoted and coming are interesting and I can see the need. ...
Click to expand...
I can't see the need for any energy standards. That should be based only on how much the user wants to pay for energy.

I know that we need to protect the environment, but that can be done by rules that limit the emissions of the energy sources. These rules will drive up the cost of energy and the user can then design his buildings to use less energy...or just do what he is doing now and pay more for the energy.
 
The cost to implement this crazy requirement will exceed the value of the energy saved. Way to go ASHRAE. More government intrusion requiring us to flush our money down the toilet.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top