Re: [APD] light fixtures for aquariums

[Bill Wichers <billw at waveform_net>]

Please note that I have shamelessly merged Scott's and Steve's posts 
together for my own convenience in replying :-) Flames must, as a result, 
be carefully scrutinized before sending so as to ensure the proper 
individual is yelled at...

> In the US, building codes are established locally at the
> county or city level, although standards stated by national
> standards organizations may be the basis for some codes.

Most areas in the US, and I think also Canada use the NEC (National 
Electrical Code) which is "NFPA 70" (National Fire Protection Association 
document #70). There are often local codes that make things more stringent, 
or that take into account any special local considerations.

There can also be state-level codes and a few federally mandated ones. For 
example, at least here in Michigan, any school requires a STATE fire 
inspection -- not just a local inspector.

> The building codes usually apply only to realty and not
> personalty. IF hte hood isn't permanently attached, it's
> not a building code item. There might additionally be fire
> codes that apply to personalty and those definitely vary
> from locale to locale. They are usually a subset of the
> building codes though.
[snip]

The NEC says everything must be "approved", which is usually meant as 
listed by a certified testing lab like UL, CSA, etc.

The building codes do normally apply to things that are part of the 
permanent structure, but many insurance policies will state that everything 
must be listed/approved/whatever (remember that UL was originally out there 
to protect *insurance companies*). If you ever have a fire, and your DIY 
light fixture was found to be the cause, you might have a problem with an 
insurance claim.

> UL is a manufacturer-sponsored organization that gives
> approval only to items submitted for approval along with
> the appropriate fee. The standards are set, to some degree,
> by the manufacturers.

They are not exactly manufacturer "sponsored". They charge us lots and lots 
to test and list things. Lots and lots. And lots. Arhhh.

Some of the standards are set by industry groups like the IEC and NEMA, but 
many of the testing methodologies are somewhat arbitrary and are set by the 
testing labs. In the US, the government approves testing labs, and those 
testing labs can then list items. UL has a competitor here but I can not 
remember the name at the moment... CSA is the Canadian version of UL. There 
are others in Europe. If you look at a product sold globally (many computer 
power supplies, for example), you can see all kinds of testing lab marks on 
their labels.

> [snip]
> > Apparently our hoods and hanging lighting fixtures made
> > from wood aren't
> > CSA or UL approved. No surprise since they're home made.
> > According to
> > the inspector, the ballasts and wiring are supposed to be
> > entirely
> > within a metal case. Wood just won't do.

Nothing you don't submit to UL or CSA will ever be UL or CSA approved. The 
testing labs do all kinds of things to products they test to determine how 
flammable they are, how likely they are to self destruct, etc. It's not 
cheap to do.

The ballasts really *should* be in a vented metal enclosure though, and the 
enclosure should be grounded. Ballasts occasionally fail in a rather 
catastrophic way, and a wooden enclosure may well constitute a fire hazard. 
Luckily cheap vented metal enclosures of suitable size are easy to find on 
the surplus market. I have a 3-ballast MH unit I built using a $20 
enclosure from Fair Radio Sales (http://www.fairradio.com) which may or may 
not still be available. They have enclosures that might be useful, as do 
lots of other places. Even Radio Shack has a small metal box with vents in 
the sides that I've used to hold two 13 watt PCF ballasts.

Metal is the best material for ballast boxes since it's not flammable and 
won't have a problem with high heat levels. If you rebuild your ballast 
box, make sure the metal enclosure is also *grounded*. Basic ballast 
enclosures should have a grounded metal enclosure (preferably with vents), 
and a fuse or circuit breaker in the "hot" line right as the power cord 
enters the enclosure.

> > Since we don't sell our fixtures, what exactly is the
> > "law" regarding
> > this? Does it differ from province to province and from
> > state to state?

Yep. It differs in different countries, and in different states/provinces 
within those countries. You can get a copy of the NEC from the NFPA (it's 
about a $60 book though), but it is difficult to read and understand if 
you're not in the industry. It would be a lot easier to call your local 
government office and ask to talk the electrical and/or fire inspector 
since most of the codes relate to those two areas. They should be able to 
give you an idea of how the local and national codes will apply to anything 
you might want to do or construct.

As soon as your are INSIDE EQUIPMENT though, the NEC doesn't really apply 
any longer -- industry standards and UL/CSA specs take over. Groups like 
the IEC and NEMA require certain spacings between terminals for certain 
voltages, fusing in a certain location with a certain rating, and lots of 
other things.

> > Where are the regulations? How does this affect our home
> > insurance
> > policies? Do our governments provide these regulations
> > anywhere
> > convenient such as on a government website?

The governments usually use the NFPA's code books at least as a starting 
point, and they have a website at http://www.nfpa.org (they are a private 
organization). The codes are commercial products though, so I don't think 
you'll find any online versions. Local codes should be available from your 
local government for free or for a document duplication charge. As above 
though, your local inspectors should be able to offer you some freebie info 
and advice. Your insurance agent might be able to offer some info too, but 
they probably won't be very helpful except to say "if you built it and it 
blows up, and it wasn't approved, then it's your problem" ;-)

The NEC will probably be available in your library though, and NEMA 
(National Electrical Manufacturer's Association) has a website WITH SOME 
INFO at http://www.nema.org/ They have some design standard documents which 
you may find useful.

     -Bill


*****************************
Waveform Technology
UNIX Systems Administrator

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