Canadian Code Compliance for lighting controllers

[Olyver]

CEC 6-212: Enclosures for circuit breakers and externally operated switches shall not be used as junction boxes, troughs, or raceways for conductors feeding through or tapping off to other apparatus. This includes PLCs, relays, contactors, receptacles (especially these).

This means NOT ONE lighting controller with breakers being built today would pass inspection in Canada, including some panels I've built. This now changes with me, any new panels built will be 100% CEC compliant and Canadian Electrical Safety Authority approved.

If I've pissed off people because of my arrogance, so be it. The indoor garden expos are now my new focus. Don't allow any posts if you want MODs. I expect to be banned, so be it.

 

[Olyver]

National Electrical Compliance for lighting controllers

NEC
312.8 Enclosures for Switches or Overcurrent Devices.
Enclosures for switches or overcurrent devices shall not be
used as junction boxes, auxiliary gutters, or raceways for
conductors feeding through or tapping off to other switches
or overcurrent devices.

This would also include PLCs, relays, contactors, receptacles, switches, circuit boards, etc.


To sum up, not one controller built by Powerboxinc, DXHydro, CAP, Sunlight Supply, or anyone else who builds a loadcenter with OCDs (breakers) and houses/mounts relays, contactors, other other electrical equipment inside the same enclosure as the breakers, would be approved by an NEC or CEC inspector. Having some UL or CSA compliance is not enough to pass inspection.

If you want a lighting controller built and need it inspected to be CEC or NEC compliant, the loadcenter must be connected to a seperate enclosure that contains all the relays, contactors, PLC, electronics, etc.

Best Regards

Olyver
Groo
Alf
DB


CEC compliant 3-phase loadcenter for 20 ballasts and PLC 40 light flip box link.