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#77959 07/29/01 07:27 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,392
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sparky Offline OP
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If I install 100' of track lighting, what should i feed it with?

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#77960 07/29/01 09:04 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,749
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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 (610 mm) of lighting track or fraction thereof.

99NECH

220-12(b)
The requirements of Section 220-12(b) previously appeared in Section 410-102 but they were moved to Article 220 for the 1999 Code since they deal primarily with load calculations.
Example
Suppose a lighting plan shows 62.5 linear ft of single-circuit track lighting for a small department store featuring clothing. Since the actual track lighting fixtures are owner supplied, neither the quantity of track lighting fixtures or the lamp size are specified. What is the minimum calculated load associated with the track lighting that must be added to the service or feeder supplying this store?
Answer
According to Section 220-12(b), the minimum calculated load to be added to the service or feeder supplying this track light installation is calculated as follows:
62.5 ft ¸ 2 ft = 31.25 ft
31.25 must be rounded up to 32
32 ´ 150 VA = 4800 VA
4800 VA is the minimum load that must be added to the service or feeder calculation.
It is important to note that the branch circuits supplying this installation are covered in Section 410-101(b). For the track lighting branch-circuit load, the maximum load on the track cannot exceed the rating of the branch circuit supplying the track. Also, the track must be supplied by a branch circuit that has a rating not exceeding the rating of the track. The track length does not enter into the branch-circuit calculation.
Section 220-12(b) 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. Rather, this section is intended to be used solely for load calculations of feeders and services.


Joe Tedesco, NEC Consultant
#77961 07/30/01 03:13 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,392
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sparky Offline OP
Member
would'nt you say 220-12(b) is a good 'guide' as the 'load' can be indiscriminatly changed easily?

tracks are not a 'fixed' load that do not change. 410-101(b) and 220-12(b) seem to almost conflict here read side by side.

could each head possibly fall under 220-3(b)(11) @ 180W per?

this just does not sit right. [Linked Image]

[This message has been edited by sparky (edited 07-30-2001).]

#77962 08/07/01 11:34 AM
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 176
W
Member
From a design standpoint, we have done this in the past:
Using Joe's example, we have 4800va divided by 120 v equals 40Amps divided by 16 (80% of 20) equals 2.5 circuits, rounded up to 3 with less than 16 amps each. That would be the minimum number of circuits required. Of course, more circuits would be better, however, realistically, only one or two fixtures per two foot length is how you will see track lighting. Most applications of the track lighting fixtures use 75-100 watt flood lamps or less. Higher ceilings may require the use of 150watt narrow beam lamps.
Just another thought.

#77963 08/07/01 08:25 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
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sparky Offline OP
Member
Yes WARREN1 ,
i would do the same.
my point is that , 220 not applying, i could run #14-2 to 100' of track if the owner wished for 3 heads.

the calc and reality seem to have a wide gap here.

and i don't care what anyone says....
it's IS NOT a fixed load!
only a ladder ( maybe) is required to install more heads.


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