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Re: NEON- Secondary Ground Fault Protection - How it Happened
Reply to Kenny:
SGFP on transformers came about because electrical inspectors got tired of neon
fires occurring within their jurisdictions. They repeatedly told our industry
to clean-up its act and we bickered back and forth rather than corrected the
problem. Their response was that a SGFP circuit would shut down the transformer
before a short could heat up enough to cause a fire. It has been left up to our
industry to figure out the details.
The International Sign Association (formerly NESA) has a standing committee, its
Research and Standards Committee which has been involved with the NEC changes.
Despite a few controversial issues in addition to the mandated SGFP
requirements, I believe that you will find the 96NEC much more "friendly" to the
sign industry than past editions (its written in language sign people can
understand - at least most of us). I have served on this Committee for more
than four years. UL has a representative on this committee as well. The R&S
Committee is open to all who wish to come and sit down and participate. If you
come 2xs in a row, they will even make you a member. I have sat at table with
representatives from Magntek, Transco, France, Actowne and others. The
Committee meet the Thursday morning of each of the ISA regional shows and the
International show.
I will be happy to pass along specific details to any interested party.
By the way, the Neon Installation Manual does not belong to UL. It is the
property of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors as
co-authored by the National Electric Sign Association. he UL references in the
manual are to ANSI/UL48 which is the nationally adopted standard for signs.
Hopes this helps.
Tim
cent@interserv.com
References: