See product description on flash drive for all information electric wiring

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. No one hurt

   Made Dec 19, 2013 · , sent to the company Jan 2, 2014 · , published by CPSC Jan 27, 2014

   The product, in the report: Multi outlet relay operated lighting controller. See attached product bulletins on flash drive (mailed on 18 Dec 2013)

   This problem was first observed while removing non-permitted electrical wiring and equipment associated with indoor marijuana grow operations as evidence within the city of Tracy in 2009. The equipment in question is lighting controllers used for switching power on and off to a group of light fixtures. These controllers are configured for four or eight fixtures; usually 1000 Watt High Pressure Sodium (HPS) OR Metal Halide (MH) and designed to be installed as a fixed wiring method. See attached photos. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) was contacted on December 3, 2009 and information along with a description of the hazards associated with the controllers was submitted at this time. One of the controllers was sent to UL labs on December 21, 2009 for inspection. The unit was returned with documentation from UL stating that it was not listed and did not comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC). See e-mail copies 1-4. Similar Products labeled and sold by a company known as “[REDACTED] were found recently in a group of grow houses. These appeared to have a listing mark from Intertek Labs (ETL). Intertek was contacted regarding the product and code violations with documentation sent on November 13, 2013. As of this date, no reply has been sent from ETL. See e-mail copy 5. The safety and fire hazards associated with these light controllers fall into two categories; the first being the “Universal” receptacles used in these units. These receptacles will allow a cord cap (attachment plug) rated at either 120 or 240 Volt to be connected to the controller output. When the light controllers are connected to a 240 volt circuit all of the receptacles are supplied with that voltage. A 120 volt appliance plugged into the 240 volt circuit such as a fan, humidifier or other small appliance associated with the growing activity will overheat rapidly and fire may follow. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has very specific configurations for receptacles due to the hazards; these” Universal” receptacles aren’t a listed item. See attached NEMA Charts. The second hazard associated with these units concerns the amperage available at the 15 or 20 Amp receptacles. These units are called out for connection to a 30, 40, or 50 Amp circuit, there is no overcurrent device (fuse or circuit breaker) installed between the 50 Amp supply and the 15 or 20 amp receptacle. Without this protection an appliance such as a light ballast or other load could develop a short or overload and the current would continue to flow until it exceeded 50 amps and tripped the breaker supplying it or the wiring overheated, melted and burned open. The conductors used in the controller from the receptacles to the contactor aren’t marked properly; there are no provisions for terminating the neutral conductor. If the controllers are used in dwelling units which all have been found in, they need to meet the requirements for arc-fault and tamper resistant receptacles. As these units are currently being sold and installed, they violate the following sections of the 2010 California Electrical Code. Section 200.6 (A) Means of Identifying Grounded Conductors. An insulated grounded conductor of 6AWG or smaller shall be identified by a continuous white or gray outer finish or by three continuous white stripes on other than green insulation along its entire length. Section 210.5 (A) Grounded Conductor. The grounded conductor of a branch circuit shall be identified in accordance with 200.6. Section 210.12 (B) Dwelling Units. All 120-volt single phase 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling unit family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas shall be protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter, combination-type, installed to provide protection of the branch circuit. Table 210.21 (B) (3) Receptacle Ratings for Various size Circuits Circuit Rating (Amperes) Receptacle Rating (Amperes) 15 Not over 15 20 15 or 20 Section 240.3 (D) Small conductors. (3) 14 AWG Copper 15 Amperes (4) 12 AWG Copper 20 Amperes Section 240.4 Protection of Conductors. Conductors other than flexible cords, flexible cables, and fixture wires, shall be protected against overcurrent in accordance with their ampacities specified in 310.15, unless otherwise permitted or required in 240. 4(A) through (G). Section 310.12 ( c) Ungrounded Conductors. Conductors that are intended for use as ungrounded conductors whether used as a single conductor or in multiconductor cables, shall be finished to be clearly distinguishable from grounded and grounding conductors. Distinguishing markings shall not conflict in any manner with the surface markings required by 310.11 (B) (1). Branch-circuit conductors shall be identified in accordance with 210.5 (c). Section 406.3 (D) (3) (F) Noninterchangable Types. Receptacles connected to circuits that have different voltages, frequencies, or types of current ( ac or dc ) on the same premises shall be of such design that the attachment plugs used on these circuits are not interchangeable. Section 406.11 Tamper Resistant Receptacles in Dwelling Units. In all areas specified in 210.52, all 125-volt, 15- and20-ampere receptacles shall be listed tamper resistant receptacles.

   Where

   Tracy, California: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Unknown

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Unspecified

   As this report names them

   Brand See product description on flash drive for all information, made or sold by R&M SUPPLY INC

   Reports CPSC links to it

   20131223-BE538-1377268

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources