## 7.3 Required Sign Lighting Controls

### 7.3.1 Indoor Sign Lighting Controls

§130.3(a)1

All indoor sign lighting is required to be controlled with an automatic time-switch control or astronomical time-switch control.

These controls are required to meet the minimum requirements in §110.9. See Section 7.2 of this chapter for information on the minimum requirements for lighting controls.

### 7.3.2 Outdoor Sign Lighting Controls

§130.3(a)2

Outdoor sign lighting is required to meet the following requirements as applicable:

A. All outdoor sign lighting is required to be controlled with one of the following two options:

1. A photocontrol in addition to an automatic time-switch control.

2. An astronomical time-switch control.

These controls are required to meet the minimum requirements in §110.9. See Section 7.2 of this chapter for information on the minimum requirements for lighting controls.

EXCEPTION to §130.3(a)2A: Lighting for outdoor signs in tunnels, and for signs in large permanently covered outdoor areas that are intended to be continuously lit for 24 hours per day and 365 days per year.

B. All outdoor sign lighting that is ON both day and night shall be controlled with a dimmer that provides the ability to automatically reduce sign lighting power by a minimum of 65 percent during nighttime hours.

Signs that are illuminated at night and for more than 1 hour during daylight hours shall be considered ON both day and night.

EXCEPTION to §130.3(a)2B: Lighting for outdoor signs in tunnels and large covered areas that are intended to be illuminated both day and night.

### 7.3.3 Demand Responsive Lighting Controls for Electronic Message Centers

An Electronic Message Center (EMC) that has a new connected lighting power load of greater than 15 kW shall have a control installed that is capable of reducing the lighting power by a minimum of 30 percent when receiving a demand response signal.

EXCEPTION to §130.3(a)3 Lighting for an EMC that is not permitted by a health or life safety statute, ordinance, or regulation to be reduced by 30 percent is not required to capable of reducing the lighting power when receiving a demand response signal.

Example 7-1

Question

Because the Energy Standards require sign lighting to be controlled by an automatic time switch control, will a sign on the inside of a mall be required to be turned off during the day?

Answer

No, the signs will not be required to be turned off during the day. The automatic time switch control will allow the owner/occupant to program their signs to be automatically turned on and off in accordance with their particular needs.