Overhead Flexible Cord

[Wire_nutz]

If a flexible cord was to be run over head, what would the height clearance and the distance between supports be?

The cord will be an 100ft extension cord or a sow made up cord, and will be plugged into a GFCI protected outlet.

The cord will be used on a grassy area with pedestrian traffic only, no motor vehicles and will be used for temporary power less than 90 days.

 

[acrwc10]

590.4(J) Support. Cable assemblies and flexible cords and cables shall be supported in place at intervals that ensure that they will be protected from physical damage. Support shall be in the form of staples, cable ties, straps, or similar type fittings installed so as not to cause damage. Vegetation shall not be used for support of overhead spans of branch circuits or feeders.

From the handbook on this : According to 590.4(J), temporary wiring methods do not have to be supported in accordance with the permanent installation requirements (from Chapter 3) for the particular wiring method.

 

[zbang]

Allow 14' minimum for truck clearance, more for forklifts. I'll run 12/3 SO for 50-60 unsupported, but don't pull it up tight. If you can, start from a higher pole and go to a lower one, the sag won't look so bad. Also, for a span that long, use a Kellem grip or something similar.

 

[LarryFine]

A messenger supporting cable would be a good idea for a larger span.

 

[renosteinke]

KISS.

In this case, that means you buy 'standard' 20 ft. poles, set them the minimum 4-ft in the ground, and run your wire as high as you can.

And, of course, have the wire supported overr the entire length of run by a (preferably vinyl-coated) steel messenger wire. The SO cord should wrap around the messenger at least once every two feet. Have the screw eyes where you attache the messenger go into the SIDES of the poles, so they don't just pull out.