Article 600

Electric Signs and Outline Lighting

Part I. General

  1. Scope. This article covers the installation of conduc‐ tors, equipment, and field wiring for electric signs, retrofit kits, and outline lighting, regardless of voltage. All installations and equipment using neon tubing, such as signs, decorative elements, skeleton tubing, or art forms, are covered by this arti‐ cle.Informational Note: Sign and outline lighting illumination systems include, but are not limited to, cold cathode neon tubing, high-intensity discharge lamps (HID), fluorescent or incandescent lamps, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and electro‐ luminescent and inductance lighting.
  2. Definitions.LED Sign Illumination System. A complete lighting system for use in signs and outline lighting consisting of light-emitting diode (LED) light sources, power supplies, wire, and connec‐ tors to complete the installation.Neon Tubing. Electric-discharge luminous tubing, including cold cathode luminous tubing, that is manufactured into shapes to illuminate signs, form letters, parts of letters, skeleton tubing, outline lighting, other decorative elements, or art forms and filled with various inert gases.imageNPhotovoltaic (PV) Powered Sign. A complete sign powered by solar energy consisting of all components and subassemblies for installation either as an off-grid stand-alone, on-grid interac‐ tive, or non-grid interactive system.Section Sign. A sign or outline lighting system, shipped as subassemblies, that requires field-installed wiring between the subassemblies to complete the overall sign. The subassemblies are either physically joined to form a single sign unit or are installed as separate remote parts of an overall sign.Sign Body. A portion of a sign that may provide protection from the weather but is not an electrical enclosure.Skeleton Tubing. Neon tubing that is itself the sign or outline lighting and is not attached to an enclosure or sign body.
  3. Listing. Fixed, mobile, or portable electric signs, section signs, outline lighting, photovoltaic (PV) powered signs, and retrofit kits, regardless of voltage, shall be listed, provided with installation instructions, and installed in conformance with that listing, unless otherwise approved by special permission.
    1. Field-Installed Skeleton Tubing. Field-installed skeleton tubing shall not be required to be listed where installed in conformance with this Code.
    2. Outline Lighting. Outline lighting shall not be required to be listed as a system when it consists of listed luminaires wired in accordance with Chapter 3.
  4. Markings.
    1. Signs and Outline Lighting Systems. Signs and outline lighting systems shall be listed; marked with the manufacturer’s name, trademark, or other means of identification; and input voltage and current rating.imageN
    2. Signs with a Retrofitted Illumination System.
      1. The retrofitted sign shall be marked that the illumination system has been replaced.
      2. The marking shall include the kit providers and installer’s name, logo, or unique identifier.
      3. Signs equipped with tubular light-emitting diode lamps powered by the existing sign sockets shall include a label alerting the service personnel that the sign has been modified. The label shall meet the requirements of 110.21(B). The label shall also include a warning not to install fluorescent lamps and shall also be visible during relamping.
    3. Signs with Lampholders for Incandescent Lamps. Signs and outline lighting systems with lampholders for incandescent lamps shall be marked to indicate the maximum allowable lamp wattage per lampholder. The markings shall be perma‐ nently installed, in letters at least 6 mm (1∕4 in.) high, and shall be located where visible during relamping.
    4. Visibility. The markings required in 600.4(A) and listing labels shall not be required to be visible after installation but shall be permanently applied in a location visible during servic‐ ing.
    5. Durability. Marking labels shall be permanent, durable and, when in wet locations, shall be weatherproof.
    6. Installation Instructions. All signs, outline lighting, skele‐ ton tubing systems, and retrofit kits shall be marked to indicate that field wiring and installation instructions are required.
    Exception: Portable, cord-connected signs are not required to be marked.
  5. Branch Circuits.
    1. Required Branch Circuit. Each commercial building and each commercial occupancy accessible to pedestrians shall be provided with at least one outlet in an accessible location at each entrance to each tenant space for sign or outline lighting system use. The outlet(s) shall be supplied by a branch circuit rated at least 20 amperes that supplies no other load. Service hallways or corridors shall not be considered accessible to pedestrians.
    2. Rating. Branch circuits that supply signs shall be rated in accordance with 600.5(B)(1) or (B)(2) and shall be considered to be continuous loads for the purposes of calculations.
      1. Neon Signs. Branch circuits that supply neon tubing installations shall not be rated in excess of 30 amperes.
      2. All Other Signs. Branch circuits that supply all other signs and outline lighting systems shall be rated not to exceed 20 amperes.
    3. Wiring Methods. Wiring methods used to supply signs shall comply with 600.5(C)(1), (C)(2), and (C)(3).
      1. Supply. The wiring method used to supply signs and outline lighting systems shall terminate within a sign, an outline lighting system enclosure, a suitable box, or a conduit body.
      2. Enclosures as Pull Boxes. Signs and transformer enclo‐ sures shall be permitted to be used as pull or junction boxes for conductors supplying other adjacent signs, outline lighting systems, or floodlights that are part of a sign and shall be permitted to contain both branch and secondary circuit conductors.
      3. Metal or Nonmetallic Poles. Metal or nonmetallic poles used to support signs shall be permitted to enclose supply conductors, provided the poles and conductors are installed in accordance with 410.30(B).
  6. Disconnects. Each sign and outline lighting system, feeder conductor(s), or branch circuit(s) supplying a sign, outline lighting system, or skeleton tubing shall be controlled by an externally operable switch or circuit breaker that opens all ungrounded conductors and controls no other load. The switch or circuit breaker shall open all ungrounded conductors simultaneously on multi-wire branch circuits in accordance with 210.4(B). Signs and outline lighting systems located within fountains shall have the disconnect located in accordance with 680.13.Exception No. 1: A disconnecting means shall not be required for an exit directional sign located within a building.imageInformational Note: The location of the disconnect is intendedto allow service or maintenance personnel complete and local control of the disconnecting means.Exception No. 2: A disconnecting means shall not be required for cord- connected signs with an attachment plug.
    1. Location. The disconnecting means shall be permitted to be located in accordance with 600.6(A)(1), (A)(2), and (A)(3):
      1. At Point of Entry to a SignThe disconnect shall be loca‐ ted at the point the feeder circuit or branch circuit(s) supply‐ ing a sign or outline lighting system enters a sign enclosure, a sign body, or a pole in accordance with 600.5(C)(3) . The disconnect shall open all ungrounded conductors where it enters the enclosure of the sign or pole.imageException No. 2: A disconnect shall not be required at the point of entryto a sign enclosure or sign body for branch circuit(s) or feeder conduc‐ tor(s) that supply an internal panelboard(s) in a sign enclosure or sign body. The conductors shall be enclosed in a Chapter 3 listed raceway or metal-jacketed cable identified for the location. A field-applied perma‐ nent warning label that is visible during servicing shall be applied to the raceway at or near the point of entry into the sign enclosure or sign body. The warning label shall comply with 110.21(B) and state the following: “Danger. This raceway contains energized conductors.” The marking shall include the location of the disconnecting means for the energized conductor(s). The disconnecting means shall be capable of being locked in the open position in accordance with 110.25.Exception No. 1: A disconnect shall not be required for branch circuit(s) or feeder conductor(s) passing through the sign where enclosed in a Chapter 3 listed raceway or metal-jacketed cable identified for the loca‐ tion.
      2. Within Sight of the Sign. The disconnecting means shall be within sight of the sign or outline lighting system that it controls. Where the disconnecting means is out of the line ofsight from any section that is able to be energized, the discon‐ necting means shall be lockable in accordance with 110.25. A
        permanent field-applied marking identifying the location ofthe disconnecting means shall be applied to the sign in a loca‐ tion visible during servicing. The warning label shall complywith 110.21(B).
      3. Within Sight of the Controller. The following shall apply for signs or outline lighting systems operated by electronic or electromechanical controllers located external to the sign or outline lighting system:
        1. The disconnecting means shall be located within sight of the controller or in the same enclosure with the control‐ ler.
        2. The disconnecting means shall disconnect the sign or outline lighting system and the controller from all ungrounded supply conductors.
        3. The disconnecting means shall be designed such that no pole can be operated independently and shall be lockable in accordance with 110.25.

        Exception: Where the disconnecting means is not located within sight ofthe controller, a permanent field-applied marking identifying the loca‐ tion of the disconnecting means shall be applied to the controller in a location visible during servicing. The warning label shall comply with 110.21(B).
    2. Control Switch Rating. Switches, flashers, and similar devices controlling transformers and electronic power supplies shall be rated for controlling inductive loads or have a current rating not less than twice the current rating of the transformer or the electronic power supply.
  7. Grounding and Bonding.
    1. Grounding.
      1. Equipment Grounding. Metal equipment of signs, outline lighting, and skeleton tubing systems shall be grounded by connection to the equipment grounding conductor of the supply branch circuit(s) or feeder using the types of equipment grounding conductors specified in 250.118.Exception: Portable cord-connected signs shall not be required to be connected to the equipment grounding conductor where protected by a system of double insulation or its equivalent. Double insulated equip‐ ment shall be distinctively marked.
      2. Size of Equipment Grounding Conductor. The equipment grounding conductor size shall be in accordance with 250.122 based on the rating of the overcurrent device protecting the branch circuit or feeder conductors supplying the sign or equipment.
      3. Connections. Equipment grounding conductor connec‐ tions shall be made in accordance with 250.130 and in a method specified in 250.8.
      4. Auxiliary Grounding Electrode. Auxiliary grounding elec‐ trode(s) shall be permitted for electric signs and outline light‐ ing systems covered by this article and shall meet the requirements of 250.54.
      5. Metal Building Parts. Metal parts of a building shall not be permitted as a secondary return conductor or an equipment grounding conductor.
    2. Bonding.
      1. Bonding of Metal Parts. Metal parts and equipment of signs and outline lighting systems shall be bonded together and to the associated transformer or power-supply equipment grounding conductor of the branch circuit or feeder supplying the sign or outline lighting system and shall meet the require‐ ments of 250.90.Exception: Remote metal parts of a section sign or outline lighting system only supplied by a remote Class 2 power supply shall not be required to be bonded to an equipment grounding conductor.
      2. Bonding Connections. Bonding connections shall be made in accordance with 250.8.
      3. Metal Building Parts. Metal parts of a building shall not be permitted to be used as a means for bonding metal parts and equipment of signs or outline lighting systems together or to the transformer or power-supply equipment grounding conductor of the supply circuit.
      4. Flexible Metal Conduit Length. Listed flexible metal conduit or listed liquidtight flexible metal conduit that enclo‐ ses the secondary circuit conductor from a transformer or power supply for use with neon tubing shall be permitted as a bonding means if the total accumulative length of the conduit in the secondary circuit does not exceed 30 m (100 ft).
      5. Small Metal Parts. Small metal parts not exceeding 50 mm (2 in.) in any dimension, not likely to be energized, and spaced at least 19 mm (3∕4 in.) from neon tubing shall not require bonding.
      6. Nonmetallic Conduit. Where listed nonmetallic conduit is used to enclose the secondary circuit conductor from a trans‐ former or power supply and a bonding conductor is required, the bonding conductor shall be installed separate and remote from the nonmetallic conduit and be spaced at least 38 mm (11∕2 in.) from the conduit when the circuit is operated at 100 Hz or less or 45 mm (13∕4 in.) when the circuit is operated at over 100 Hz.
      7. Bonding Conductors. Bonding conductors shall comply with (1) and (2).
    1. Bonding conductors shall be copper and not smaller than 14 AWG.
    2. Bonding conductors installed externally of a sign or race‐ way shall be protected from physical damage.
    (8) Signs in Fountains. Signs or outline lighting installed inside a fountain shall have all metal parts bonded to the equipment grounding conductor of the branch circuit for the fountain recirculating system. The bonding connection shall be as near as practicable to the fountain and shall be permitted to be made to metal piping systems that are bonded in accord‐ ance with 680.53.Informational Note: Refer to 600.32(J) for restrictions on length of high-voltage secondary conductors.
  8. Enclosures. Live parts, other than lamps, and neon tubing shall be enclosed. Transformers and power supplies provided with an integral enclosure, including a primary and secondary circuit splice enclosure, shall not require an addi‐ tional enclosure.
    1. Strength. Enclosures shall have ample structural strength and rigidity.
    2. Material. Sign and outline lighting system enclosures shall be constructed of metal or shall be listed.
    3. Minimum Thickness of Enclosure Metal. Sheet copper or aluminum shall be at least 0.51 mm (0.020 in.) thick. Sheet steel shall be at least 0.41 mm (0.016 in.) thick.
    4. Protection of Metal. Metal parts of equipment shall be protected from corrosion.
  9. Location.
    1. Vehicles. Sign or outline lighting system equipment shall be at least 4.3 m (14 ft) above areas accessible to vehicles unless protected from physical damage.
    2. Pedestrians. Neon tubing, other than listed, dry-location, portable signs, readily accessible to pedestrians shall be protec‐ ted from physical damage.Informational Note: See 600.41(D) for additional requirements.
    3. Adjacent to Combustible Materials. Signs and outline lighting systems shall be installed so that adjacent combustible materials are not subjected to temperatures in excess of 90°C (194°F).The spacing between wood or other combustible materials and an incandescent or HID lamp or lampholder shall not be less than 50 mm (2 in.).
    4. Wet Location. Signs and outline lighting system equip‐ ment for wet location use, other than listed watertight type, shall be weatherproof and have drain holes, as necessary, in accordance with the following:
    1. Drain holes shall not be larger than 13 mm (1∕2 in.) or smaller than 6 mm (1∕4 in.).
    2. Every low point or isolated section of the equipment shall have at least one drain hole.
    3. Drain holes shall be positioned such that there will be no external obstructions.
  10. Portable or Mobile Signs.
  1. Support. Portable or mobile signs shall be adequately supported and readily movable without the use of tools.
  2. Attachment Plug. An attachment plug shall be provided for each portable or mobile sign.
  3. Wet or Damp Location. Portable or mobile signs in wet or damp locations shall comply with 600.10(C)(1) and (C)(2).
    1. Cords. All cords shall be junior hard-service or hard- service types as designated in Table 400.4 and have an equip‐ ment grounding conductor.
    2. Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter. The manufacturer of portable or mobile signs shall provide listed ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. The ground-fault circuit interrupter shall be an integral part of the attachment plug or shall be located in the power-supply cord within 300 mm (12 in.) of the attachment plug.
  4. Dry Location. Portable or mobile signs in dry locations shall meet the following:
  1. Cords shall be SP-2, SPE-2, SPT-2, or heavier, as designa‐ ted in Table 400.4.
  2. The cord shall not exceed 4.5 m (15 ft) in length.

600.12 Field-Installed Secondary Wiring. Field-installed secondary circuit wiring for electric signs, retrofit kits, outline lighting systems, skeleton tubing, and photovoltaic (PV) powered sign systems shall be in accordance with their installa‐ tion instructions and 600.12(A), (B), or (C).

  1. 1000 Volts or Less. Neon and secondary circuit wiring of 1000 volts or less shall comply with 600.31.
  2. Over 1000 Volts. Neon secondary circuit wiring of over 1000 volts shall comply with 600.32.
  3. Class 2. Where the installation complies with 600.33 and the power source provides a Class 2 output that complies with 600.24, either of the following wiring methods shall be permit‐ ted as determined by the installation instructions and condi‐ tions.
  1. Wiring methods identified in Chapter 3
  2. Class 2 cables complying with Table 600.33(A)(1) and Table 600.33(A)(2)
  1. Ballasts, Transformers, Electronic Power Supplies, and Class 2 Power Sources. Ballasts, transformers, electronic power supplies, and Class 2 power sources shall be of the self- contained type or be enclosed by placement in a listed sign body or listed separate enclosure.
    1. Accessibility. Ballasts, transformers, electronic power supplies, and Class 2 power sources shall be located where accessible and shall be securely fastened in place.
    2. Location. Ballasts, transformers, electronic power supplies, and Class 2 power sources shall be installed as near to the lamps or neon tubing as practicable to keep the secondary conductors as short as possible.
    3. Wet Location. Ballasts, transformers, electronic power supplies, and Class 2 power sources used in wet locations shall be of the weatherproof type or be of the outdoor type and protected from the weather by placement in a sign body or separate enclosure.
    4. Working Space. A working space at least 900 mm (3 ft) high × 900 mm (3 ft) wide × 900 mm (3 ft) deep shall be provi‐ ded at each ballast, transformer, electronic power supply, and Class 2 power source or at its enclosure where not installed in a sign.
    5. Attic and Soffit Locations. Ballasts, transformers, elec‐ tronic power supplies, and Class 2 power sources shall be permitted to be located in attics and soffits, provided there is an access door at least 900 mm × 562.5 mm (36 in. × 221∕2 in.) and a passageway of at least 900 mm (3 ft) high × 600 mm (2 ft) wide with a suitable permanent walkway at least 300 mm (12 in.) wide extending from the point of entry to each compo‐ nent. At least one lighting outlet containing a switch or control‐ led by a wall switch shall be installed in such spaces. At least one point of control shall be at the usual point of entry to these spaces. The lighting outlet shall be provided at or near the equipment requiring servicing.
    6. Suspended Ceilings. Ballasts, transformers, electronic power supplies, and Class 2 power sources shall be permitted to be located above suspended ceilings, provided that their enclo‐ sures are securely fastened in place and not dependent on the suspended-ceiling grid for support. Ballasts, transformers, and electronic power supplies installed in suspended ceilings shall not be connected to the branch circuit by flexible cord.
  2. Ballasts.
    1. Type. Ballasts shall be identified for the use and shall be listed.
    2. Thermal Protection. Ballasts shall be thermally protected.
  3. Transformers and Electronic Power Supplies.
    1. Type. Transformers and electronic power supplies shall be identified for the use and shall be listed.
    2. Secondary-Circuit Ground-Fault Protection. Transformers and electronic power supplies other than the following shall have secondary-circuit ground-fault protection:
      1. Transformers with isolated ungrounded secondaries and with a maximum open circuit voltage of 7500 volts or less
      2. Transformers with integral porcelain or glass secondary housing for the neon tubing and requiring no field wiring of the secondary circuit
    3. Voltage. Secondary-circuit voltage shall not exceed 15,000 volts, nominal, under any load condition. The voltage to ground of any output terminals of the secondary circuit shall not exceed 7500 volts, under any load condition.
    4. Rating. Transformers and electronic power supplies shall have a secondary-circuit current rating of not more than 300 mA.
    5. Secondary Connections. Secondary circuit outputs shall not be connected in parallel or in series.
    6. Marking. Transformers and electronic power supplies that are equipped with secondary-circuit ground-fault protection shall be so marked.
  4. Class 2 Power Sources. Class 2 transformers, power supplies, and power sources shall comply with the require‐ ments of Class 2 circuits and 600.24(A), (B), (C), and (D).
  1. Listing. Class 2 power supplies and power sources shall be listed for use with electric signs and outline lighting systems or shall be a component in a listed electric sign.
  2. Grounding. Metal parts of Class 2 power supplies and power sources shall be grounded by connecting to the equip‐ ment grounding conductor.
  3. Wiring Methods on the Supply Side of the Class 2 Power Supply. Conductors and equipment on the supply side of the power source shall be installed in accordance with the appro‐ priate requirements of Chapter 3.
  4. Secondary Wiring. Secondary wiring on the load side of a Class 2 power source shall comply with 600.12(C) and 600.33.

Part II. Field-Installed Skeleton Tubing, Outline Lighting, and Secondary Wiring

  1. Applicability. Part II of this article shall apply to all of the following:
    1. Field-installed skeleton tubing
    2. Field-installed secondary circuits
    3. Outline lighting
    These requirements shall be in addition to the requirements of Part I.
  2. Neon Secondary-Circuit Wiring, 1000 Volts or Less, Nominal.
    1. Wiring Method. Conductors shall be installed using any wiring method included in Chapter 3 suitable for the condi‐ tions.
    2. Insulation and Size. Conductors shall be listed, insulated, and not smaller than 18 AWG.
    3. Number of Conductors in Raceway. The number of conductors in a raceway shall be in accordance with Table 1 of Chapter 9.
    4. Installation. Conductors shall be installed so they are not subject to physical damage.
    5. Protection of Leads. Bushings shall be used to protect wires passing through an opening in metal.
  3. Neon Secondary-Circuit Wiring, over 1000 Volts, Nomi‐ nal.
    1. Wiring Methods.
      1. Installation. Conductors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit, flexible metal conduit, liquidtight flexible metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, metal enclosures; on insulators in metal raceways; or in other equipment listed for use with neon secondary circuits over 1000 volts.
      2. Number of Conductors. Conduit or tubing shall contain only one conductor.
      3. Size. Conduit or tubing shall be a minimum of metric designator 16 (trade size 1∕2).
      4. Spacing from Grounded Parts. Other than at the location of connection to a metal enclosure or sign body, nonmetallic conduit or flexible nonmetallic conduit shall be spaced no less than 38 mm (11∕2 in.) from grounded or bonded parts when the conduit contains a conductor operating at 100 Hz or less, and shall be spaced no less than 45 mm (13∕4 in.) from grounded or bonded parts when the conduit contains a conductor operating at more than 100 Hz.
      5. Metal Building Parts. Metal parts of a building shall not be permitted as a secondary return conductor or an equipment grounding conductor.
    2. Insulation and Size. Conductors shall be insulated, listed as gas tube sign and ignition cable type GTO, rated for 5, 10, or 15 kV, not smaller than 18 AWG, and have a minimum temper‐ ature rating of 105°C (221°F).
    3. Installation. Conductors shall be so installed that they are not subject to physical damage.
    4. Bends in Conductors. Sharp bends in insulated conduc‐ tors shall be avoided.
    5. Spacing. Secondary conductors shall be separated from each other and from all objects other than insulators or neon tubing by a spacing of not less than 38 mm (11∕2 in.). GTO cable installed in metal conduit or tubing shall not require spacing between the cable insulation and the conduit or tubing.
    6. Insulators and Bushings. Insulators and bushings for conductors shall be listed for use with neon secondary circuits over 1000 volts.
    7. Conductors in Raceways. The insulation on all conduc‐ tors shall extend not less than 65 mm (21∕2 in.) beyond the metal conduit or tubing.
    8. Between Neon Tubing and Midpoint Return. Conductors shall be permitted to run between the ends of neon tubing or to the secondary circuit midpoint return of listed transformers or listed electronic power supplies and provided with terminals or leads at the midpoint.
    9. Dwelling Occupancies. Equipment having an open circuit voltage exceeding 1000 volts shall not be installed in or on dwelling occupancies.
    10. Length of Secondary Circuit Conductors.
      1. Secondary Conductor to the First Electrode. The length of secondary circuit conductors from a high-voltage terminal or lead of a transformer or electronic power supply to the first neon tube electrode shall not exceed the following:
        1. 6 m (20 ft) where installed in metal conduit or tubing
        2. 15 m (50 ft) where installed in nonmetallic conduit
        (2) Other Secondary Circuit Conductors. All other sections of secondary circuit conductor in a neon tube circuit shall be as short as practicable.
    11. Splices. Splices in high-voltage secondary circuit conduc‐ tors shall be made in listed enclosures rated over 1000 volts. Splice enclosures shall be accessible after installation and listed for the location where they are installed.
  4. Class 2 Sign Illumination Systems, Secondary Wiring. The wiring methods and materials used shall be in accordance with the sign manufacturer’s installation instructions using any applicable wiring methods from Chapter 3, Wiring Methods, and the requirements for Class 2 circuits contained in 600.12(C), 600.24, and 600.33(A), (B), (C), and (D).
    1. Insulation and Sizing of Class 2 Conductors. Class 2 cable listed for the application that complies with Table 600.33(A)(1) or Table 600.33(A)(2) for substitutions shall be installed on the load side of the Class 2 power source. The conductors shall have an ampacity not less than the load to be supplied and shall not be sized smaller than 18 AWG.imageN
      1. General Use. CL2 or CL3, PLTC, or any listed applicable cable for general use shall be installed within and on buildings or structures.imageN
      2. Other Building Locations. In other locations, any listed applicable cable permitted in 600.33(A)(1), (A)(2), (A)(3), and (A)(4) and Table 600.33(A)(1) and (A)(2) shall be permit‐ ted to be used as follows:
        1. CL2P or CL3P — Ducts, plenums, or other spaces used for environmental air
        2. CL2R or CL3R — Vertical shafts and risers
        3. Substitutions from Table 600.33(A)(2)
        1. Wet Locations. Class 2 cable used in a wet location shall be listed and marked suitable for use in a wet location.
        2. Other Locations. Class 2 cable exposed to sunlight shall be listed and marked sunlight resistant suitable for outdoor use.
    2. Installation. Secondary wiring shall be installed in accord‐ ance with (B)(1) and (B)(2).
      N Table 600.33(A)(1) Applications of Power Limited Cable in Signs and Outline Lighting
      LocationCL2CL3CL2RCL3RCL2PCL3PPLTCNon-concealed spaces insideYYYYYYYbuildings






      Concealed spaces insideYYYYYYYbuildings that are not used as






      plenums or risers






      Environmental air spacesNNNNYYNplenums- or risers






      Wet locationsNNNNNNYY = Permitted. N = Not Permitted.
      1. Wiring shall be installed and supported in a neat andworkmanlike manner. Cables and conductors installed N Table 600.33(A)(2) Class 2 Cable Substitutionsexposed on the surface of ceilings and sidewalls shall be                                                                                                                                supported by the building structure in such a manner that the cable is not damaged by normal building use. The cable shall be supported and secured at intervals not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft). Such cables shall be supported by straps, staples, hangers, cable ties, or similar fittings designed and installed so as not to damage the cable. The installation shall also comply with 300.4(D).
      2. Connections in cable and conductors shall be made with listed insulating devices and be accessible after installa‐ tion. Where made in a wall, connections shall be enclosed in a listed box.
    3. Protection Against Physical Damage. Where subject to physical damage, the conductors shall be protected and instal‐ led in accordance with 300.4.
    4. Grounding and Bonding. Grounding and bonding shall be in accordance with 600.7.
    imageN
  5. Photovoltaic (PV) Powered Sign. All field wiring of components and subassemblies for an off-grid stand-alone, on- grid interactive, or non-grid interactive PV installation shall be installed in accordance with Article 690, as applicable, 600.34, and the PV powered sign installation instructions.
  1. Equipment. Inverters, motor generators, PV modules, PV panels, ac PV modules, dc combiners, dc-ac converters, and charge controllers intended for use in PV powered sign systems shall be listed for PV application.
  2. Wiring. Wiring from a photovoltaic panel or wiring exter‐ nal to the PV sign body shall be:
    1. Listed, labeled, and suitable for photovoltaic applications
    2. Routed to closely follow the sign body or enclosure
    3. As short as possible and secured at intervals not exceed‐ ing 0.91 m (3 ft)
    4. Protected where subject to physical damage
  3. Flexible Cords and Cables. Flexible cords and cables shall comply with Article 400 and be identified as extra hard usage, rated for outdoor use, and water and sunlight resistant.
  4. Grounding. Grounding a PV powered sign shall comply with Article 690, Part V and 600.7.
  5. Disconnecting Means. The disconnecting means for a PV powered sign shall comply with Article 690, Part III and 600.6.Cable Type Permitted SubstitutionsimageCL3P CMPCL2P CMP, CL3PCL3R CMP, CL3P, CMRCL2R CMP, CL3P, CL2P, CMR, CL3RCL3 CMP, CL3P, CMR, CL3R, CMG, CM, PLTCCL2 CMP, CL3P, CL2P, CMR, CL3R, CL2R, CMG, CM, PLTC, CL3CL3X CMP, CL3P, CMR, CL3R, CMG, CM, PLTC, CL3,CMXCL2X CMP, CL3P, CL2P, CMR, CL3R, CL2R, CMG,CM, PLTC, CL3, CL2, CMX,CL3X
  6. Battery Compartments. Battery compartments shall require a tool to open.
  1. Neon Tubing.
    1. Design. The length and design of the tubing shall not cause a continuous overcurrent beyond the design loading of the transformer or electronic power supply.
    2. Support. Tubing shall be supported by listed tube supports. The neon tubing shall be supported within 150 mm (6 in.) from the electrode connection.
    3. Spacing. A spacing of not less than 6 mm (1∕4 in.) shall be maintained between the tubing and the nearest surface, other than its support.
    4. Protection. Field-installed skeleton tubing shall not be subject to physical damage. Where the tubing is readily accessi‐ ble to other than qualified persons, field-installed skeleton tubing shall be provided with suitable guards or protected by other approved means.
  2. Electrode Connections.
  1. Points of Transition. Where the high-voltage secondary circuit conductors emerge from the wiring methods specified in 600.32(A), they shall be enclosed in a listed assembly.
  2. Accessibility. Terminals of the electrode shall not be accessible to unqualified persons.
  3. Electrode Connections. Connections shall be made by use of a connection device, twisting of the wires together, or use of an electrode receptacle. Connections shall be electrically and600.42 ARTICLE 604 — MANUFACTURED WIRING SYSTEMS
    mechanically secure and shall be in an enclosure listed for the purpose.
  4. Support. Neon secondary conductor(s) shall be suppor‐ ted not more than 150 mm (6 in.) from the electrode connec‐ tion to the tubing.
  5. Receptacles. Electrode receptacles shall be listed.
  6. Bushings. Where electrodes penetrate an enclosure, bush‐ ings listed for the purpose shall be used unless receptacles are provided.
  7. Wet Locations. A listed cap shall be used to close the opening between neon tubing and a receptacle where the receptacle penetrates a building. Where a bushing or neon tubing penetrates a building, the opening between neon tubing and the bushing shall be sealed.
  8. Electrode Enclosures. Electrode enclosures shall be listed.
    1. Dry Locations. Electrode enclosures that are listed, labeled, and identified for use in dry, damp, or wet locations shall be permitted to be installed and used in such locations.
    2. Damp and Wet Locations. Electrode enclosures installed in damp and wet locations shall be specifically listed, labeled, and identified for use in such locations.

Informational Note: See 110.3(B) covering installation and use of electrical equipment.

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