Energy Codes Rely on Receptacle Controls to Increase Building Efficiency

By Harold Jepsen, P.E. WELL-AP, VP, Standards & Industry Relations, Legrand 
April 2021

Like a faucet that delivers water, our buildings are thoughtfully constructed with energy outlets, ready to serve up a refreshing glass of electricity to the thirsty devices we plug in. When electrical devices are left running, these same electrical outlets can also waste energy, like a dripping faucet can waste water. We often see this in offices, classrooms, workstations and other places where lighting, displays, fans, heaters, audio equipment and other electrical appliances continue operating even though no one is there to use them.

Luckily, for over ten years, some energy efficiency codes and standards have helped curb the wasted energy through plug in receptacles by utilizing automatic controls. These codes ensure receptacles automatically shut off power to unused electrical devices when occupants are no longer in the room. Many studies have shown the benefits and effective use of automatic receptacle controls, demonstrating energy savings in the 20% range, when used in commercial building specific spaces. Both the ASHRAE 90.1 (section 8.4.2) and California’s Title 24 Part 6 (section 130.1(d)) standards require receptacle controls in spaces such as private offices, classrooms, breakrooms, copy rooms, conference rooms, guestrooms and individual workstations. The automatic receptacle control measures include controlling receptacles in office furniture partitions or circuits which feed office partition receptacles.
 

These controls do not turn off all receptacles but require at least 50% of the receptacles in a space or room to automatically shut-off within 20 minutes of occupants leaving the area. By controlling only half of the receptacles, the code promises ample plug in locations for electrical devices that should not be shut off, like computers, medical devices, refrigerators, shared network printers and other uninterruptable devices. The code also provides two key exceptions: receptacles designated to continuously operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and for spaces where automatic receptacle control would endanger the safety or security of the room or its occupants.
 
Now that even more emphasis is placed on building energy efficiency and in counter-acting the effects of climate change, the most widely adopted energy efficiency code in the United States, the International Energy Conservation Code or IECC, has added automatic receptacle control provisions to its 2021 version. The added receptacle control provisions in this new code version are similar to already adopted requirements in the ASHRAE 90.1 and Title 24 Part 6 standards. However, several small differences occur in the 2021 IECC version:

• a controlled receptacle must be within 12 inches of an uncontrolled receptacles. This alleviates situations where extension cords might be used to access controlled or uncontrolled receptacles. 
• the controlled receptacle is required to be the top receptacle when installed in a duplex (dual receptacle) configuration. Always making the top receptacle the controlled receptacle will make it easier for occupants of a space to identify the correct receptacles to plug in electrical devices and equipment that can be shut off.

Through the implementation of receptacle control in all three of the major codes, new buildings and renovations will have the capability to lower operating costs and reduce energy use. However, success with this capability is dependent on correct use and behaviour by occupants plugging their devices into the correct receptacle. To aid this, all controlled receptacles must have the NEC required markings of the on/off symbol and the words “Controlled”, so controlled receptacles are clearly distinguished from constant power receptacles. In addition, building occupants need to be educated on the value of controlled receptacles, and which electrical devices are appropriate to plug in to them. Manufacturers, building operators and owners can all play a part in helping make sure building occupants are familiar with controlled receptacle benefits and proper use.

Next time plug in power is needed, look closely, and be sure to make the energy efficient choice by plugging into the correct receptacle.
 
At Legrand, we offer a full range of code compliant automatic receptacle control (plug load control) products to make installation easy and operation automatic. In many instances, the receptacle controls share controls with the lighting system, thereby saving product installation cost and time.