tanning bed

[eager2learn]

today i went out to a service call involving a circuit breaker popping every now and then when a tanning bed would be used. i think that the problem was that the circuit the bed was on was only a 15 amp circuit. i did some diagnostic work with a meter and found that with the bed on by itself it took around 11 - 12 amps. there was also bathroom lights, doorway lighting, and a office that was used only for the internet. when i turned on everything at once the meter showed that there was about 13 amps being used. the wire was #12 so i installed a 20 amp breaker to take care of everything. the other thing that came to mind was ambient temperature because the panel is located where the sun hits it directly for more than half of the day. i was just wondering what you thought about this application with all this in mind.

 

[iwire]

Re: tanning bed

Originally posted by eager2learn:
i think that the problem was that the circuit the bed was on was only a 15 amp circuit. i did some diagnostic work with a meter and found that with the bed on by itself it took around 11 - 12 amps. there was also bathroom lights, doorway lighting, and a office

This in itself is very close to a violation of 210.21(B)(2) and 210.21(A)(1).

12 amps is the maximum cord and plug connected load on a 15 amp receptacle. 210.21(B)(2)

12 amps is also the maximum cord and plug connected load on a 15 amp branch circuit serving other loads such as lighting. 210.21(A)(1)

Originally posted by eager2learn:
the other thing that came to mind was ambient temperature because the panel is located where the sun hits it directly for more than half of the day.

You are correct ambient temperatures can effect breaker operation.

From your description and my past experience I would say it is very unlikely the sunlight was an issue here.

By the way, it sounds like you used an amprobe to determine the loads which of course is fine for troubleshooting.

However you need to look at nameplate ratings.

What was the current listed on the tanning beds nameplate?

As this circuit was not an individual branch circuit if the nameplate showed an amperage rating of 12.1 amps or above it would be required to be connected to a 20 amp receptacle fed by a 20 amp branch circuit. 210.21(B)(2)

 

[eager2learn]

Re: tanning bed

i looked for the nameplate on the bed and could'nt find it anywhere. the homeowner gave me the paperwork to the bed so i looked for it in there as well and could not find it. thats the reason why it took me so long to do this job. i didn't want to have to go back so thats why i used the meter and did all the diagnostic work. this was the first time i couldn't locate the nameplate. isn't that a violation in itself?

 

[iwire]

Re: tanning bed

Originally posted by eager2learn:
i looked for the nameplate on the bed and could'nt find it anywhere. ...................... isn't that a violation in itself?

Yes it is a violation.

422.60 Nameplate.

(A) Nameplate Marking. Each electric appliance shall be provided with a nameplate giving the identifying name and the rating in volts and amperes, or in volts and watts. If the appliance is to be used on a specific frequency or frequencies, it shall be so marked.
Where motor overload protection external to the appliance is required, the appliance shall be so marked.

FPN:See 422.11 for overcurrent protection requirements.

(B) To Be Visible. Marking shall be located so as to be visible or easily accessible after installation.

 

[petersonra]

Re: tanning bed

Originally posted by iwire:
[
As this circuit was not an individual branch circuit if the nameplate showed an amperage rating of 12.1 amps or above it would be required to be connected to a 20 amp receptacle fed by a 20 amp branch circuit. 210.21(B)(2) [/QB]

Just out of curiousity, a lot of cord and plug connected loads are very close to 15A load (electric heaters and hair dryers come to mind). Unless you forced the manufacturers to supply the plug with a 20A plug on it, how would one ever enforce this provision.

[ June 27, 2005, 04:44 PM: Message edited by: petersonra ]