lighting on contactors

[Snapperhead]

I have one restaurant that has contactor boxes for the lights , dining area has one , kitchen has one , and another area has one

Why ?

[shellkamp]

Because the lighting load may exceed the rating of the light switches?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[VTP99]

EMS (Energy Management System) ?

[Snapperhead]

yea I was thinking too many amps for a switch , but why not add another switch instead of 500 dollar relay box

I will snap pics

[madhat]

Required by code?? We have the same thing at work. Low voltage at switch, with relay box in electrical room for 277. Also there is some kind of latching circuit on the outdoor lighting. If it doesn't see a current draw, shuts the circuit down. This is giving the electricians a fit when the upgrade to LED.

Also did you know NEC my outlaw multi-gang switch boxes? May not be anything above two gang. Reason is two many dimmers are being placed in a multi-gang switch box. Already local code in some places.

[ga-hvac-tech]

Built one of those back before HVAC... outdoor lighting for an industrial building... TOO many amps for the sunlight sensor. Simple box and a 30A 2 pole contactor.

Used to blow the sunlight sensor every 6 months... never did after the relay box.

[hvacvegas]

My grandpa's house was wired that way.
Designed and built the house himself. He was an old school electrician at the power plant.
Had a huge panel above the door frame of my grandfathers room.

He said:
"your dad, when he was a boy, was a moron. I was seriously afraid he would kill himself by playing with a switch."


Not that it helps, but I remembered it and thought to share.

[timebuilder]

Just a quick note for you guys in case you have to replace a lighting contactor....it is a different grade of contactor than we use in rooftop units, and it must be the correct type for the purpose. In other words, it must be "listed."

Word of warning: if you give a quote, make sure you get the price first.... because lighting contactors are waaaaaay more expensive than refrigeration contactors.

[johoff34]

My grandpa's house was wired that way.
Designed and built the house himself. He was an old school electrician at the power plant.
Had a huge panel above the door frame of my grandfathers room.

He said:
"your dad, when he was a boy, was a moron. I was seriously afraid he would kill himself by playing with a switch."


Not that it helps, but I remembered it and thought to share.

That's hilarious. Thanks for sharing


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk