Whether you're a contractor or building manager, it is important to keep Class 2 compliance in mind when retrofitting or creating new construction with low voltage LED lights and systems. The National Electric Code (NEC) requires that low voltage power supplies and electrical wiring be Class 2 compliant. The code was created to prevent electrical fires and shock.
Inspecciones: Quién las necesita y cómo funcionan
If you are creating new construction or adding major modifications, you will most likely require an inspection. New construction requires a work permit that must be obtained from a local safety or electrical inspector. Some small jobs may not require a permit but it is in your best interest to get a safety inspection to avoid any unintended problems. For example, if you re-wire a kitchen or basement without having it inspected and then try to sell the house, an inspector may ask you to tear the walls down to check the wiring. Also, if faulty wiring that wasn't inspected starts an electrical fire, your insurance company might challenge the claim.
To begin the permit process, you'll need to present a detailed wiring diagram of your project to your local inspector. Once a work permit is granted, the inspection consists of two visits: the 'rough-in' inspection and the 'final' inspection. The rough-in inspection consists of checking that all wiring is properly installed before any switches, fixtures, insulation and walls are added. For low-voltage installations, this is when the inspector will specifically check to see if the wiring is Class 2 compliant. Basically, the skeleton of the installation will be reviewed to see if the correct gauge wire is installed and harnessed correctly, as well as other measures.
Una vez que se pasa la{0}}inspección preliminar, puede completar la instalación con aislamiento, paredes, interruptores y accesorios antes de la inspección final. Al verificar las luces y los sistemas LED de bajo voltaje, el inspector verificará si las fuentes de alimentación son accesibles y cumplen con la Clase 2. También verificarán si los accesorios están aprobados por un laboratorio de pruebas reconocido nacionalmente (NRTL), como Underwriter Laboratories (UL) o Intertek (ETL).
Una vez que el inspector aprueba que el proyecto cumple con los estándares profesionales, puede comenzar a usar sus nuevos circuitos de manera segura y con confianza en cumplimiento. ¿Se pregunta qué puede hacer para asegurarse de que su proyecto sea aprobado? A continuación, analizamos todos los componentes del proyecto de iluminación.
Lista de verificación de cumplimiento de clase 2
Energía
Power supplies convert the 120V power into low voltage 12V or 24V power. For power supplies to be Class 2 compliant, 12V DC drivers must be 60W and under and 24V drivers must be 96W and under. Power supplies that comply with the Class 2 regulation are always marked or labeled as so.
Also for NEC compliance, Class 1 circuits (up to 600V) and Class 2 circuits must be separated. To pass inspection, a junction box must be installed to encapsulate a 120V AC wire connection to a 12-24V DC power converter (driver). Junction boxes provide a safe, grounded fireproof enclosure, preventing wire nuts from coming loose and causing a short and possible electrical fire. This Caja de conexiones Lo-Pro is one example of how to separate high and low voltage wiring within the same enclosure.
For large projects such as kitchen remodels, office upgrades or new commercial spaces, a large amount of power is often required. In this case, you have two options: You can install several 60W drivers, or you can install a high wattage multi-tap driver such as the Controlador de clase 2 de 12 V y 300 vatios. This driver contains 5 separate 60W outputs, and each of the outputs has its own circuit breaker so in the case that one of them experiences a surge, the others will not be affected. It's like having several drivers and junction box in one unit, and is a more affordable and easier to install solution than using several separate 60W drivers. Only one switch will control all outputs, so you do not need multiple switches unless you need a section of lighting with an individual control such as a dimmer.
Alambrado
La mayoría del cableado electrónico está recubierto con un aislamiento a base de goma-para asegurar la prevención de la corrosión y los-circuitos cortos. Esto es lo suficientemente seguro para instalaciones en interiores que usan enchufes de pared, por ejemplo, para encender una lámpara en su sala de estar o una consola de videojuegos. Pero para una instalación de cableado permanente-, se deben tomar más precauciones para cumplir con la Clase 2.
Most wire you see at the hardware store isn't rated for permanent installation and cannot be installed inside walls, under floorboards, or as a structural component of a building. For example, for an installation where you would want to hide wires behind a wall, the wires could be surrounded by insulation, creating a warmer environment. The wires could crack or melt, leading to sparks or fires. Class 2 In-Wall Rated Wire provides an extra layer of installation that is more resistant to cracking or melting, and is approved by the NEC to be installed inside walls.
Encendiendo
As we mentioned earlier, all low-voltage lighting fixtures must be certified by an NRTL to pass inspection. To verify that a product is UL or ETL listed, check the product details in the lighting company's catalog or website. If you can't locate the information you need, you may want to contact the manufacturer directly. For extra precaution, you can look up the number listed on the official websites for UL and ETL to make sure the certification is authentic. The best way to search the Directorio de certificaciones en línea de UL is to use the E-file number. For the Directorio ETL, busque utilizando el nombre de la empresa o el número y el nombre del producto.
Más recursos
Want to dig deeper? The Asociación Nacional de Protección contra el Fuego (NFPA) provides more detailed information about Class 2 compliance, who it impacts and why it is important. You can buy the latest NEC handbook through the NFPA website or even on Amazon. You may also contact your local inspector on how to best prepare your project for inspection.
Listo para inspeccionar
Ahora que sabe cómo preparar su instalación de bajo-voltaje para que las luces LED, las fuentes de alimentación, las conexiones y el cableado cumplan con la Clase 2, está listo para la inspección. Puede estar seguro de que la inspección se realizará sin problemas y que la instalación permanecerá segura durante los próximos años.
