Print this page ASHRAE 90.1-2010 for Electrical Design
Thomas Mason, PE
Course Outline
ASHRAE 90.1-2010 ,Chapter 8, POWER, requires that at least 50% of the 120V power receptacles in offices and classrooms must be automatically shut down when the machine thinks that no one is there.
Chapter 9, LIGHTING, requires general lighting either have manual on-control or automatic 50%-on control and automatic off-control when the machine thinks that no one is there. Each space must have an accessible manual control including off-50% and on.
Spaces with 250 sq-ft of windows must have general lighting automatic photocell control with at least two steps, nominally 50% and off. Spaces with 900 sq-ft of skylights must have general lighting automatic photocell control with at least two steps, nominally 50% and off.
The construction documents must identify the independent commissioning agent who will certify that actual lighting control operation meets the design specifications.
Table 9.5.1 lists the maximum general lighting power densities permitted for 33 area types. Schools get whole-building .99 watts per square foot, down from 1.2 w/sq-ft for 90.1-2004. Table 9.6.1 lists permitted w/sq-ft for 95 individual rooms. Classrooms get 1.24, down from 1.43 in 90.1-2004. Low bay manufacturing gets 1.19. Retail gets 2.00 plus 1.0 kW per area.
Chapter 10, OTHER EQUIPMENT, has table 10.8B for minimum NEMA motor efficiency, which replaces EPACT-1992. A new 10 HP, 1800 rpm, TEFC motor must be 89.5% vs 89.5% under EPACT.
This is the briefest summary, with only electrical definitions of the terms used and ignoring most of the qualifications and exceptions in the Standard. The Standard runs ~228 pages and the three electrical chapters run ~ 16 pages. Enforcement, as envisioned by ASHRAE, is enumerated in Chapter 4, after the definitions. Unlike NFPA, ASHRAE gives directions on the intended enforcement and provides very rare opportunities for local interpretation or waivers by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
The course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Be able to explain why the air conditioning society is setting design standards for electrical;
- Be able to report why this Standard is critical for all construction permitted in 2012 and later;
- Be able to identify feeder circuit runs which require upsized conductors to meet the 5% maximum voltage drop requirement;
- Be able to identify the ASHRAE-mandated transformer efficiencies, as contrasted with NEMA TP-1-2002;
- Be able to identify the ASHRAE-mandated motor efficiencies, as contrasted with EPACT-1992;
- Be able to report the exact ASHRAE requirements for automatic controlled receptacles and spaces where the rules apply;
- Be familiar with three equipment connection diagrams which meet the ASHRAE automatic controlled receptacle requirement;
- Understand how to read the overall building lighting budget limits in Table 9.5.1;
- Understand how to calculate the overall building lighting actual usage, based upon examples;
- Understand how to read the space-by-space lighting budget limits in Table 9.6.1;
- Understand how to calculate the space-by-space lighting actual usage, based upon examples;
- Understand how to read Tables 9.4.3A and 9.4.3B to determine the permitted exterior lighting;
- Understand how to calculate the actual permitted exterior lighting in each of the five zones;
- Be able to report the required lighting controls for areas, work spaces and the building exterior;
- Be familiar with 12 lighting design schemes included in the Standard; and
- Be familiar with equipment connection diagrams for the 12 lighting control schemes.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for project managers, electrical engineers, engineers and Architects who work with electrical engineers and contractors who must deal with electrical inspectors.
Benefit to Attendees
The world seems to be changing radically and rapidly. ASHRAE 90.1 is a good example. The publisher’s goal was 30% overall energy reduction from the 2006 version. It will take big changes to squeeze 30% energy usage out of any reasonably designed facility. And, there are big changes required by the 2010 version. Light levels are cut 20% and efficiency of fixtures and lamps are raised. And, all this is supposed to apply to Building Permits issued after January 1, 2012. This course does not claim that the rules are being enforced as issued, but provides a careful reading of the rules as issued.
Course Introduction
This PDHonline course reviews the precise wording of ASHRAE 90.1-2010 and offers sample designs and calculations to help an electrical designer comply.
Course Content
In this lesson, you are required to download and study the following course content in PDF:
ASHRAE 90.1-2010 for Electrical Design
Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you still experience any difficulty in downloading or opening this file, you may need to close some applications or reboot your computer to free up some memory.
Course Summary
ASHRAE 90.1-2010 has four chapters directed to building electrical designers, as follows:
Chapter 3, DEFINITIONS,
Chapter 8, POWER,
Chapter 9, LIGHTING, and
Chapter 10, OTHER EQUIPMENT, which is mostly transformers and motors.
This course attempted to share the intent of the Standard with attendees and offer assistance to electrical designers attempting to comply.
Related Links and References
For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:
http://openpub.realread.com/rrserver/browser?title=/ASHRAE_1/ashrae_90_1_2010_IP_1024 - This link comes from http://www.ashrae.com/technology/page/548 and lets you preview the Standard from your browser.
http://www.techstreet.com/standards/ashrae/90_1_2010_i_p_?product_id=1739526 - This is a vendor site which offers an immediate download for $125 (as this course was written). This site also handles ASHRAE member fulfillment for $106.
http://www.peci.com/ncbc/2009/docs/Gowri_NCBC09.pdf - This is a 2009 slide presentation on the intentions for the Standard, before it was released. Excellent overview.
http://www.kjww.com/uploads/newsletters/How%20ASHRAE%2090.1-2010%20Energy%20Code%20Will%20Affect%20Your%20Projects.pdf - Another 2009 slide show. Says compliance is required for LEED as a prerequisite and for federal facilities. Most of the content is on details of envelope construction.
http://www.trane.com/commercial/dna/view.aspx?i=2628 - A series of seven videos. PDH are available from Trane for passing the test.
http://www.wattstopper.com/sustainability/ASHRAE2010.html - Wattstopper is a division of Legrand. Wattstopper offers a wide line of motion detectors and power packs for lighting control. They are branching out into photocells and are very aggressive in their educational efforts.
http://www.aleralighting.com/products/apcs_ccm/ - Alera is a lighting brand of Hubbell. The Alera A+Class system includes motion and photocell sensors a controller and dimmable linear fluorescent fixtures. Competitor fixtures can be substituted. This is for school classrooms.
http://www.lightingcontrols.com/design/innovative/gr2400/smartDesign.asp - Lighting Control and Design is a subsidiary of Acuity Brands, which also owns Lithonia. This is a link for a centralized lighting control system with a controller located at the lighting panel and sensors in each room. It can be configured in many ways, including daylight harvesting.
http://www.douglaslightingcontrol.com/products/relays/systems - Douglas Lighting Controls started out doing fluorescent ballasts. They now offer a wide range of lighting systems for schools, offices, retail and architectural applications.
http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=14764&minisite=10026 - Leviton is family owned. This link is for a single-room intelligent controller for daylight harvesting and occupancy sensing. See also the Leviton wireless light switch product.
http://www.gelighting.com/na/business_lighting/products/lighting_controls/casestudies/OLP-2821_Memorial_Sloan-Kettering_Final.pdf - This is a brochure on a hospital-wide lighting controls installation.
http://tools.wiremold.com/convia/ - Wiremold / Convia is an alliance of Legrand and Herman Miller, Inc.. They offer a range of lighting control systems. The following link reports 42 LEED points from a Wiremold / Convia installation, Modular System Delivers Flexible Building Energy Management.
http://www.lutron.com/Experience-Light-Control/Lutron/Pages/IncreaseProductivity.aspx - Lutron is privately held. Lutron offers a range of lighting control systems.
http://www.digital-loggers.com/din.html - dedicated receptacle power controller off Ethernet.
http://www.toshiba.com/EQPGlobal/data/tag_files/LVM_Catalog.pdf - Toshiba 2011 motor catalog.
http://ecmweb.com/ - Web access to Electrical Construction and Maintenance magazine.
http://www.usa.lighting.philips.com/pwc_li/us_en/connect/tools_literature/downloads/CO-7044-B.pdf - The Advance Lighting Electronics Atlas referenced in the text.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
