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IECC - COMMERCIAL - ELECTRICAL TAC

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Code Change No: CE226-16

Original Proposal

Section: C202 (New), C405.10 (New)

Proponent: Steven Ferguson, representing American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air- Conditioning Engineers (sferguson@ashrae.org)

Add new definition as follows:

VOLTAGE DROP. A decrease in voltage caused by losses in the wiring systems that connect the power source to the load.

Add new text as follows:

C405.10 Voltage drop in feeders and branch circuits. The total voltage drop across the combination of feeders and branch circuits shall not exceed 5 percent.

Reason: A limitation on the amount of allowed voltage drop will reduce the energy consumption of buildings and is currently in ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2016 due to addendum c to Standard 90.1-2013. When conductors are not sized to limit voltage drop, they will use additional energy in conductor resistance losses. This proposal will make the IECC consistent with 90.1-2016, which will be adopted by reference in the IECC and consistent with recommendations in the NEC.
While footnotes to tables in the NEC suggests that conductor sizing be adjusted to limit voltage, these footnotes are not requirements, so providing a 5% limit to voltage drop in the energy code will have impact on those who do not follow the NEC table footnote suggestions.

Cost Impact: Will increase the cost of construction
While this proposed requirement has a theoretical impact on building cost, it is followed in most cases as standard practice; consequently there is not expected to be an overall cost increase.

Report of Committee Action Hearings

Committee Action:	Approved as Submitted

Committee Reason: Approval was based on the proponent's published reason statements

Assembly Action	None

Final Action Results

CE226-16	AS

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Complete Revision History to the 20

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CE226-16

C405.6.3 Voltage drop.

C405.6.3.1 Feeders and customer owned service conductors. Feeder and customer owned service conductors shall be sized for a maximum voltage drop of 2 percent at design load.

C405.6.3.2 Branch Circuits. Branch circuit conductors shall be sized for a maximum voltage drop of 3 percent at design load.

The conductors for feeders and branch circuits combined shall be sized for a maximum of 5% voltage drop total.