410.71 Disconnecting Means for Fluorescent or LED Luminaires that Utilize Double-Ended Lamps.

For indoor locations at other than dwellings and associated accessory structures, fluorescent or LED luminaires that use double-ended lamps and are equipped with ballasts or LED drivers that can be serviced in place must have a disconnecting means either internal or external to each luminaire.
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For indoor locations at other than dwellings and associated accessory structures, fluorescent or LED luminaires that use double-ended lamps and are equipped with ballasts or LED drivers that can be serviced in place must have a disconnecting means either internal or external to each luminaire.

Code Change Summary: The disconnection requirements for luminaires with double-ended lamps was revised and relocated.

Since 2005, the NEC® has required a disconnecting means for fluorescent luminaires that utilize double-ended lamps and contain ballasts that can be serviced in place. This is for indoor locations in other than dwellings and associated accessory structures.

The idea is to make sure there is a way (at or in each luminaire) to be able to disconnect the luminaire from power while servicing the fixture. Changing a ballast in a luminaire while the circuit feeding the luminaire is energized has become a standard industry practice.

In the 2023 NEC®, the code language on the disconnecting means previously required in Section 410.130(G)(1) has been relocated to new Section 410.71 and revised to include LED luminaires and drivers.

For indoor locations at other than dwellings and associated accessory structures, the requirements in new Section 410.71(1) require fluorescent or LED luminaires that use double-ended lamps and are equipped with ballasts or LED drivers that can be serviced in place to have a disconnecting means either internal or external to each luminaire. For existing luminaires without a disconnecting means, at the time a ballast or LED driver is added or replaced a disconnecting means must be installed. The line side terminals of the installed disconnecting means must be guarded.

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Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2023 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.

2020 Code Language:

410.130(G) Disconnecting Means.

(1) General. 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 shall have a disconnecting means either internal or external to each luminaire. For existing installed luminaires without disconnecting means, at the time a ballast is replaced, a disconnecting means shall be installed. The line side terminals of the disconnecting means shall be guarded.

2023 Code Language:

410.71 Disconnecting Means for Fluorescent or LED Luminaires that Utilize Double-Ended Lamps.

(1) General. In indoor locations other than dwellings and associated accessory structures, fluorescent or LED luminaires that utilize double-ended lamps and contain ballast(s) or LED driver(s) that can be serviced in place shall have a disconnecting means either internal or external to each luminaire. For existing installed luminaires without disconnecting means, at the time a ballast or LED driver is added or replaced a disconnecting means shall be installed. The line side terminals of the disconnecting means shall be guarded.

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410.71 Disconnecting Means for Fluorescent or LED Luminaires that Utilize Double-Ended Lamps.

Below is a Real Question from our Electrical Continuing Education Courses for Electrical License Renewal:

Which of the following would the rules in Section 410.71(1) apply to?

A: A commercial building with fluorescent or LED luminaires that use double-ended lamps and are equipped with ballasts or LED drivers that can be serviced in place.
B: Section 410.71(1) applies to all luminaires in dwellings.
C: Section 410.71(1) applies to all incandescent luminaires in dwellings.
D: Section 410.71(1) applies to all recessed luminaires in dwellings.
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