Track Lighting Load

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steve66

steve66

Senior Member
Location
Illinois
Occupation
Engineer
Code: 
2002 NEC
 Article 220 Part II: Feeders and Services
 220.12 (B) Track Lighting:  For track lighting in other than dwelling units or guest rooms
 of hotels or motels, an additional load of 150 volt-amperes shall be included for every 2 ft.
 of lighting track or fraction thereof.  Where multicircuit track is installed, the load shall
 be considered to be divided equally between the track circuits.
Since this rule is under "Feeders and Services", I assume it does NOT apply to branch circuits. Therefore, I could circuit a mile of track from one 20A circuit if I am placing less than 1920VA of load on the track.

Does anyone agree or disagree?

Steve

[ January 21, 2004, 12:34 PM: Message edited by: steve66 ]
 
Re: Track Lighting Load

Agree because the connected load is covered in 410.101(B)

Roger
 
Re: Track Lighting Load

Thanks for the quick responses. I didn't realize there were restrictions for track lighting in 410. And yes, the handbook commentary for 410.101 says we are right:
"220.12B is not intended to limit the number of feet of track on a single branch circuit nor is it intended to limit the number of fixtures on an individual track."

Steve
 
Re: Track Lighting Load

I also agree that code allows any length of track as long as no more than the 1920 VA of load are exceeded. But it is also important to remember how the end user is going to use the system. You may design it perfectly with 1800 VA of fixtures but a year down the line the fixtures may be moved around to different track circuits and cause nuisance tripping of the breaker. Especially in the retail setting where fixtures may be moved every month or more.
 
Re: Track Lighting Load

So am I interpreting this correct that in sizing a service feeder you use the length of track and for the branch you use the number of lamps.

For example a 50 ft track w/ (10) 75W lamps.

As far as the feeder calcs is concerned ... 50 ft * 75 VA = 3,750 VA ie. 31.25 amps

However this branch circuit could be protected by a 15/1 breaker (10 * 75W = 750W ie. 6.25 amps)with No 14 conductors.

Seems odd.
 
Re: Track Lighting Load

Tmarshall, in the spirit of your argument, any branch circuit that gives the "end user" control of the connected load (multiple receptacles) is subject to "nuisance" tripping.

Spsnyder, you are right, sizing the feeder is another ball game. This is not simply adding together the true loads of individual branch circuits. (these absolute values aren't known when using article 220)

Roger
 
Re: Track Lighting Load

Tmarshall, yes I agree but I have a good idea what the user will need (they have existing track lighting and they are moving to a new location. I am largely copying what they already have, and I am allowing for about twice the load they are currently using.)

Of course, if I really had a mile of track, voltage drop would be another issue.

Spsnyder: This is only an opinion, but I suspect one reason the rules are different for branch circuits is that it is easier to add another branch circuit later. However, people are much less likely to upsize a service or feeder just because more lights are added to a track.

Steve
 
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