Quick Hits

Episode 4: Dedicated Branch Circuits & Lighting Rules (620.22 – 620.25)

SLIDE 1 (HOOK / COVER) ⚡ NEC Quick Hit: Dedicated Elevator Branch Circuits (Part 4) ⚡ 

Can elevator car lights share a circuit with machine room receptacles? Why can't elevator lighting be wired to the load side of a GFCI? Let's finish Article 620! 👇

SLIDE 2 (CAR LIGHTING & RECEPTACLE CIRCUITS) Separate Branch Circuit Mandates:

• Car Lights & Ventilation: A separate branch circuit must supply the car lights, alarm devices, communications chargers, and car ventilation in each elevator car.

• Machine Room & Pit Lighting: Lighting for machine rooms, control spaces, and hoistway pits must be supplied by branch circuits separate from the receptacles in those same spaces.

SLIDE 3 (THE NO-GFCI-LOAD-SIDE RULE FOR LIGHTING) Preventing Unexpected Blackouts:

• Line-Side Only: Required elevator car, machine room, and pit lighting shall not be connected to the load side of a ground-fault circuit interrupter (Section 620.22(A)(2)).

• Why? If a service mechanic trips a GFCI receptacle with a portable tool, it must never plunge the elevator pit or car into total darkness!

SLIDE 4 (WRAP-UP) 💡 Apprentice Pro-Tip: 

The lighting switch for machine rooms and control spaces must always be located right at the point of entry, and pit lighting switches must be readily accessible from the pit access door!

💬 Save this post for your final code review on elevator electrical systems! 🔗 

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