va per receptacle & va per light

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lucky1974

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I had a journeyman tell me today thatyou have to figure each light for 200 watts.ex. He said you couldn't hook up 8 recessed cans on a 15A circuit, because each can is counted as 200 watts.I don't have a 2002 codebook yet so i couldn't look, but i don't remeber ever being taught that in my apprenticeship code class(99).Thanks for any help. Jason

Please sight any code ref. with response

Also am i correct that the 180va per recepticle is not for residential.
 
Re: va per receptacle & va per light

The 3va per sqft in a dwelling as required per 220.3 includes all lighting outlets required in 210.70(A) and (B) per 220.3(B)(10).

220.3(B)(4) requires recessed fixtures to be computed based on the maximum va rating of the fixtures and lamps.

I am not aware of a "200W per fixture" requirement per the NEC.
 
Re: va per receptacle & va per light

Presuming that your Journeyman meant that you cannot wire eight recessed cans on a 15 amp circuit, IF each can is rated to handle a 200 watt bulb, I agree with him.

Bryan gave the key code reference: 220.3(B)(4). It was the same wording in the 1999 version. This code article does not say there is a 200 watt limit per can. It says you treat the can as if it had the maximum sized lamp for which it is rated, even if you started out by installing a smaller bulb.
 
Re: va per receptacle & va per light

Hi Charlie,

I have wondered if there will come a time when the NEC will relate lighting systems footcandle illuminated area instead of relying on the watts per sf formula? With improved CFL's and the lumens per watt comparison to incandescent inefficiency, there seems to be a gap in the pursuit of energy conservation. Is there something I am overlooking in seeing improvement towards progressive energy savings concepts by better code regulation? Just a thought.

rbj, Seattle
 
Re: va per receptacle & va per light

How can we use 220.3(B)(4) for Permissible Loads?
I thought that this was 210.23. and 220 is for computing branch-circuit, feeder, and service loads? And 210.24 is where these requirements are?
 
Re: va per receptacle & va per light

For whatever it's worth, 200VA is a value that was/is commonly used instead of 180VA because it is easier to add up in your head.
 
Re: va per receptacle & va per light

Originally posted by gndrod: I have wondered if there will come a time when the NEC will relate lighting systems footcandle illuminated area instead of relying on the watts per sf formula?
Click to expand...
I don?t think that will ever happen. The NEC does not care if you have enough light to read by. Nor does it care about your electricity bill. It only cares that we install enough capacity for the homeowners to have a minimal amount of their toys running at the same time.

By the way, our great State of Washington does care about energy bills (as do many others, I am sure). There is a Washington Administrative Code statement that tells us it is OK to install less watts per square foot that the NEC would require, if by so doing we stay in line with the Washington Energy Code.

Charlie B.
(Bothell, WA)
 
Re: va per receptacle & va per light

I do not see a reason why someone would be putting a 200 watt light bulb in a recess trim!

Has anyone ever seen a recess can that accepts a 200 watt bulb? I haven't. Not for residential!

The norm is 65 watt light bulbs per can--although most will accept up to 75 watts max. In addition, the trims are normally rated up to 75 watts. Sounds like a fire hazard to me!

Fill me in on the question I ask (200 watt bulb for a residential recess can?).
 
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