Electical Contractor

Market estimates of annual sales for the outdoor commercial lighting segment range from $875 million to $2 billion, including street and bridge lighting.

Article 410 in the National Electrical Code (NEC) covers the installation of the wiring and the equipment forming the parts of lamps, luminaires (fixtures) and lampholders.

In addition to the slack economy, warehouse managers must juggle other issues: worker safety, the environment and increased corporate responsibility. Managers are turning toward lighting to reduce operating costs, as well as improve safety, the work environment, productivity and quality.

Hollywood may be the only place where “the look” is more important than it is in retail lighting. Out front or indoors, there are several new technologies available to provide splashy yet economical lighting for stores and businesses.

The Latest in LEDs According to Permlight in Tustin, Calif., the portion of the illumination market that currently uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as its main light source is now $8 to $10 billion.

CODE CITATIONS Article 210 Branch Circuits Article 220 Branch Circuit, Feeder and Service Calculations Article 250 Grounding Article 352 Rigid Nonmetallic Conduit: Type RNC Article 422 Appliances Article 430 Motors, Motor Circuits, and Controllers Article 514 Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities Article

Two emerging street lighting stars in the night sky are not quite ready for prime time. However, the LED (light-emitting diode) and the triple-tube compact fluorescent lamp show promise and contractors should be aware of them.

210.70 Lighting Outlets Required Article 210 specifies provisions for all branch circuits except for branch circuits supplying only motor loads. Article 430 contains motor load requirements. Provisions stipulating the placement of receptacle outlets are covered in 210.52 through 210.63.

Ask four different contractors or manufacturers what’s new on the residential lighting front and you’ll get four different answers. One may point to new fixtures, maybe a Spiderman light suspended by wire from the ceiling.