ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Motion Controlled Switch for panelboard illumination

Can, and should a motion controlled switch be used to control illumination of panelboards? What are your thoughts?

Bill

Bill:

I would answer NO, because of the rule in 110.26(D) Illumination last sentence.

Illumination shall be provided for all working spaces about service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, or motor control centers installed indoors.

Additional lighting outlets shall not be required where the work space is illuminated by an adjacent light source or as permitted by 210.70(A)(1), Exception No. 1, for switched receptacles.

In electrical equipment rooms, the illumination shall not be controlled by automatic means only.

Joe,

Thanks, I would agree about it probably not being a good idea, but (strictly speaking) I don't see this code section prohibiting it for the following reasons;

What if it is not in a separate room?
Does the term 'Automatic' really include Motion-Controlled?
If it is a Motion-Controlled wall switch it also has a manual setting.

Bill

I was just thinking that maybe I was interpreting the words 'Automatic Means' too literally.

My first thought was that 'Automatic Means' meant something that wastotally under the control of outside forces and that the person in the room had no way of controlling it at all. (This would literally be wrong if the light could be controlled by his movements)