ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues light switch question

Better visit England Bill! Lighting circuits in domestic work are alsmost always 5 or 6A.

I've never seen a normal domestic British dimmer which incorporates fuse protection of its own. Small units are typically rated 250W, and although 5 or 6A circuits are the norm, regulations allow normal lighting outlets to be run on anything up to a 16A branch.

P.S. That's 16A at 240V remember.


[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 04-07-2003).]

Now Paul ....

I'll clarify. Never saw a 5A circuit breaker used as an OCPD in a Panelboard in the US
Better?

You know I've never seen one anywhere else either.

Bill

Bill:
"Small" amperage CB's are used in some control panels. There may still be some listed in the WWGrainger catalog, I haven't looked lately.

John

Ok, I give!!

I've seen them too used in pieces of individual equipment, but not in a typical residential load center to protect a standard 14 AWG lighting circuit that has 500w or 600w dimmers installed on it.

'Tough room' here sometimes ...


Bill

This thread has morphed into somthing new, so I'll throw this in
I've seen those modules also. I think their only rated as supplemental protection, and are not aproved for branch circuit protection.

Russ

Threadjack:

The British made MK dimmer switches work like this: (From product sheet)

Approximate load on the Dimmer as a percentage of its maximum rating

Up to 125: Load will receive maximum power continuously.

>125 to 150: Output to load will be reduced to 50% of the maximum after a delay of approximately 20 seconds after switch on.

>150 to 200: Output to load will be reduced to the minimum setting of the dimmer after a delay of approximately 20 seconds after switch on.

>200: Output will be disabled (load will be switched off) almost instantaneously after switch on.
------------------

Oh, just in case someone was wondering;
the requirements for dimmers are found in IEC 60669-2-1: Switches for household and similar fixed electrical installations - Part 2-1: Particular requirements - Electronic switches
(Fourth edition, Sept. 2002)

If they sell fifty of them, they'd probably call the title a bestseller.

[This message has been edited by C-H (edited 04-08-2003).]

I follow a simple rule: Nothing under-rates the breaker. 20A Breaker=20A switches=20A outlets=#12 wire or better. I know this rule isn't always adheared to by everybody, but why take a chance when the risk is a fire? On a residential lighting circuit that specs 15A switches, I use a 15A breaker with #14 or better wire. Period. YOu won't be tagged for doing it right...

Zapped,
Does that mean you use 1800 watt dimmers on 15 amp breakers and 2400 watt dimmers on 20 amp circuits?

I have a few 5 amp breakers. Made by GE.
I can't read the catalog number on it, but
the breaker is physically the same as a
40 amp GE breaker Catalog number TQC1140.

I also have a Federal Pacific 10A breaker
(not stablok).