CROWNLITE MFG. CORP.
1546 Ocean Avenue
Bohemia, L.I., N.Y. 11716
___
____________
Tel. (631) 589-9100 • Fax (631) 589-4584 • Crownlite@crownlite.com
Notice
To: all Customers
Re: Luminaire Ballast Disconnect (BD)
Dear Valued Customer,
Effective Jan. 1, 2008: within Part XIII, Section 410.73(G) has been added to the 2005 NEC, requiring a
disconnecting means (BD) for ballasted luminaires installed in an indoor location for commercial and industrial
installations. Dwellings and accessory buildings for dwellings are exempted from this requirement. A similar
requirement is currently in effect via the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1, Canada, 2006 Edition.
This requirement can be met by either the manufacturer or the installer. Ultimately it is the installers responsibility
to add the disconnect externally if an internal one isn't built into the product. Crownlite is taking the position that,
in general, this is a Distributor/contractor supplied item.
As of January, 2008 customers will have the following options:
1. We can supply separate UL listed BD wiring devices as an accessory for you or your customer to install
as they install the fixtures.
a. Customers wishing to have BDs added to there POs as a separate accessory (not wired in) must
specify the "BDK" suffix in all catalogue numbers.
b. The adder to the Distributor Net price will be $1.50/ea, depending on quantity.
c. One device is required for each ballast (see below).
2. We can supply UL listed BD wiring devices as an option for customers wishing to have the wiring devices
pre-wired into their fixtures.
a. Customers wishing to have BDs added to there POs as a pre-wired in option must specify the
"BD" suffix in all catalogue numbers.
b. The adder to the Distributor Net fixture price will be $1.95/ea per BD, depending on quantity.
c. One device is required for each ballast.
d. When using emergency power packs (EML) at least two BDs will be required.
i. One BD for the black and white
ii. A second BD for the EML.
iii. Customers will need to specify 120v or 277v to have the EML BD pre-wired in.
e. When using dimmer ballast (DIM) with a separate control lead two BDs will be required.
i. One BD for the black and white
ii. A second BD for the control lead.
3. Fixtures purchased with whips and connectors, or other pre-installed wiring systems, will automatically be
priced with the BD included. This is the only case where the manufacturer must pre-install the BDs.
a. The adder to the base Whip or wiring system price will be $1.95/ea, depending on quantity.
b. One device is required for each ballast.
4. When using an Occupancy Sensor (OS) the BD will be installed between the ballast and the line. The OS
may still be “hot”.
If you have any questions please contact your sales representative or the call the factory.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Crownlite Mfg. Corp.
1 3
4/1/2008 TT Ballast Disconnect.doc
r2
CROWNLITE MFG. CORP.
1546 Ocean Avenue
Bohemia, L.I., N.Y. 11716
___
____________
Tel. (631) 589-9100 • Fax (631) 589-4584 • Crownlite@crownlite.com
Effective until Jan. 1, 2008, within Part XIII, Section 410.73(G) has been added to the 2005 NEC,
requiring a disconnecting means for ballasted luminaires installed in an indoor location for commercial
and industrial installations. Dwellings and accessory buildings for dwellings are exempted from this
requirement. A similar requirement is currently in effect via the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1,
Canada, 2006 Edition.
The new rule requires a disconnecting means for any fluorescent luminaire that contains a ballast, has
double-ended lamps with twin pins on each end-and where the luminaire can be serviced in place
without removing it.
This requirement can be met by either the manufacturer or the installer. Ultimately it is the installers
responsibility to add the disconnect externally if an internal one isn't built into the product.
Additionally, any ballasted luminaire that is supplied from a multi-wire branch circuit where the luminaire
can be serviced in place must have a disconnecting means.
With both the double-ended fluorescent and the fluorescent connected to a multi-wire branch circuit,
the disconnecting means must be installed at each luminaire, but it can be mounted on the exterior or
the interior of the luminaire.
This disconnecting means is required to simultaneously disconnect the entire source of supply of all
conductors to the ballast, including any grounded or neutral conductor.
Any disconnect switch installed either within or on the luminaire must have the line side of the switch
guarded or insulated to minimize any inadvertent contact with an energized circuit while a person is
servicing the luminaire. This disconnecting means must be located on the luminaire so as to be
accessible to a qualified person before that person starts servicing it.
There are five exceptions to this new rule:
1.
The first does not require a disconnecting means for luminaires installed in hazardous
(classified) locations.
2.
The second exception eliminates the need for this disconnect on emergency egress lighting
based on Section 700.16.
3.
The third exception allows cord- and plug-connected luminaires with an accessible separable
connector or an accessible plug and receptacle.
4.
The fourth exception applies to industrial establishments with restricted public access where
conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified people will service the installation
and the facility has written service procedures for these luminaires.
5.
The fifth exception permits the disconnecting means on each individual luminaire to be
eliminated if there is more than one luminaire installed, an individual branch circuit (not a multi-wire
branch circuit) supplies the luminaires, the design of the installation includes locally accessible
disconnecting means (such as switches on the wall), and the space cannot be left in total darkness
while servicing the luminaire.
This exception does not take into consideration any ambient light that may be available from outside
windows. It also does not permit the disconnecting means to be deleted where only one luminaire
exists in a small office area, even if adjacent lighting from a corridor or a larger office area could
provide enough ambient light to safely illuminate the area.
2 3
4/1/2008 TT Ballast Disconnect.doc
r2
CROWNLITE MFG. CORP.
1546 Ocean Avenue
Bohemia, L.I., N.Y. 11716
___
____________
Tel. (631) 589-9100 • Fax (631) 589-4584 • Crownlite@crownlite.com
410.73 GENERAL
This rule was added to require disconnecting means for fluorescent luminaires that have
double-ended lamps and contain ballasts. However, it isn't effective until Jan. 1, 2008.
(G) Disconnecting Means. In indoor locations, other than dwellings and associated accessory
structures, fluorescent luminaires that utilize double-ended lamps and contain ballast(s) that
can be serviced in place or re-ballasted must have a disconnecting means, to disconnect
simultaneously all conductors of the ballast, including the grounded (neutral) conductor if any.
The disconnecting means must be accessible to qualified persons. This requirement will
become effective Jan. 1, 2008.
Ex 1: A disconnecting means isn't required for luminaires installed in hazardous (classified)
location(s).
Ex 2: A disconnecting means isn't required for emergency illumination required in 700.16.
Ex 3: For cord-and-plug-connected luminaires, an accessible separable connector or an
accessible plug and receptacle is permitted to serve as the disconnecting means.
Ex 4: A disconnecting means isn't required in industrial establishments with restricted public
access where written procedures and conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that
only qualified persons service the installation.
Ex 5: Where more than one luminaire is installed and supplied by other than a multi-wire
branch circuit, a disconnecting means isn't required for every luminaire when the design of the
installation includes locally accessible disconnects, such that the illuminated space won't be
left in total darkness.
Note:
A multi-wire branch circuit is defined in Article 100 as a branch circuit that consists of two or
more ungrounded conductors that have a voltage between them, and a grounded conductor
that has equal voltage between it and each ungrounded conductor of the circuit, and is
connected to the neutral or grounded conductor of the system.
It would appear exception #5 is valid where only a single phase runs through a given group of
fixtures, and there is more that one group of fixtures in that space, and the groups can be
separately deenergized.
3 3
4/1/2008 TT Ballast Disconnect.doc
r2