outlet above drop ceiling
- Thread starter 101010
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
That is an interesting question. IMO that appears to cover the intent of art. 400.8 but I am interested in what others have to say. Of course, the AHJ will be the one to ask.
Hendrix
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
If the power supply has a cord and plug, I would think that it would not be compliant.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
Is the supplied equipment also in the pull box? It is the cord that is not allowed above the ceiling not the receptacle.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
IMO if the cord is within the covered pull box then it's compliant.
jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
Are we talking about a Class 2 transformer, aka wall wart, with a Class 2 cable going to a device?
You can plug that into a receptacle above a dropped ceiling.
You can plug that into a receptacle above a dropped ceiling.
ASG
Senior Member
- Location
- Work in NYC
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer, PE
Unless there's a code section I'm missing (which can very well be the case), it's not that receptacles can't be above a ceiling, its just that cords are not allowed above a ceiling. Therefore I agree with infinity.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
I agree. The cord may be above the ceiling but it is in a enclosure just as our circuit conductors are so I don't see an issue. I am sure there would be some ahj's who would argue that it is not compliant.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
You probably right that some inspector would find an issue with it. But IMO it's still code compliant. :thumbsup:
jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
Okay, so I guess Class 2 is out.
Chunk it all in a Hoffman box then and use correct Chapter 3 and 8 wiring in and out.
- Location
- Massachusetts
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Can you run non plenum grade telephone wire in a conduit in a plenum?
jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
I just said Hoffman, because I use them a lot. If the install is legal, and in my IMO it is, a regular box is fine.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Can I run UF in a trench?
Here is the code section I am thinking of.
I don't see any wiggle room.
This does not mean I think it is unsafe, it is just my opinion of what the NEC prohibits.
jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
Oh, the pox on that. The main danger of cords is deterioration of the insulation that would cause a hazard in these spaces. The cord would be in a bonded enclosure that would be no hazard since it is contained and can be inspected.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Again, I have not said I think it is unsafe. I do think it is clearly an NEC violation.
jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
Fair enough. By the letter of the law/code-yes, intent-no. The NEC really stinks at times.
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