My wife is going for her apprenticeship test on Monday. (I'll have an in-house helper!) While giving her things to practice looking up in the code, I told her to look up "device". After reading the definition, she concluded that a light fixture (haven't told her about the "luminaire thing yet...) would be considered a device... the bulbs utilize electricity, not the fixture... Hmmm.

For that matter the wires themselves seem to fit the definition, unless resistance is considered "utilizing"...

And a lighted switch, relay, contactor or a GFCI would not be a device because they do utilize electricity...

How's that for a twist!

(sorry if I've gone overboard here...)

[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 10-03-2001).]

Go Mrs K!

My understanding is that Utilizes means to make use of (and consume). The Fixture utilizes electrical energy via the bulb. (and vice-versa) Admitedly a fine point and confusing in the strictest sense. I suppose that a lighted switch would be utilizing electricity too, but that's not it's main purpose (so there's the out)

So does Mrs K get her own Screen Name now?


Bill

[This message has been edited by Bill Addiss (edited 10-04-2001).]

Bill:

In a past code cycle there was a floor action at the NFPA annual meeting, that added the words "or equipment" in this section to make it clear that a receptacle was a device and a switch with a pilot light was not a device.

210-4(b) Dwelling Units. In dwelling units, a multiwire branch circuit supplying more than one device or equipment on the same yoke shall be provided with a means to disconnect simultaneously all ungrounded conductors at the panelboard where the branch circuit originated.

Methinks one could be a code proffessor and argue loopholes in the NEC's definitions.

When there are confusing, or misunderstood terms, or when the public thinks a change should be made the process is a very simple one and anyone can submit a proposal to revise the Code.

Since the 2002 NEC is out, the proposal process can proceed. You can be sure that any proposal to revise the term "Device" will be rejected. It has been in the Code longer than the experience of many in this industry.

Joe,

Ahhhh! So the switch can be a device and the pilot can be 'equipment' on the same yoke?


Bill

Hi Guys,
The "device" question will be the first of many from this newbie. It is good for you all that I have a person "in house" that I can bombard with the really dumb ones! I look forward to getting involved with this forum, and will continue learning from it as I have in recent months.
Thank you, Mrs. sparky66wv (Carol)

well good for you Carol! I'm sure Virgil will be able to field most any Q, but if you REALLY wanna get down to pickin' apart even the punctuation in the NEC, there's plenty of takers in this forum! Actually, being the eve of the 2002 will stir up much of the latter anyways!...stay tuned!

>a GFCI would not be a device because they do utilize electricity...
Assuming it is tested monthly, it will utilize 1 kw·h in 15,000 years.

Or were you talking about the kind with an LED indicator?

Article 100 NEC Defines a:

Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter. A device intended for the protection of personnel that functions to de-energize a circuit or portion thereof within an established period of time when a current to ground exceeds some predetermined value that is less than that required to operate the overcurrent protective device of the supply circuit.

[This message has been edited by Joe Tedesco (edited 10-04-2001).]

Hey, didn't think about that approach there Joe...

Yes, Dspark I actually was thinking of the new ones with the LED, but failed to mention it (I had intended to... )

Anyone catch the pun on Carol's ID?

(imagine an old stained glass lamp arcing...)



[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 10-04-2001).]

When Carol is done with them, it will read
"A device or equipment intended for the protection..."

go for it carol