Nec 517.30(c)(3)

[coreyp]

I have the following questions on this code section and how it applies to Hospital Grade MC cable.

1. Can the hospital grade MC be used in branch circuits in patient care areas or does (1) limits you to hard pipe?

2. If the answer to the above question is "NO" than is it acceptable to hard pipe within a patient care area and set a j-box outside it (say in a corridor) and MC a homerun back to the panel?

3. Does this code section apply to feeders routed in "feeder type" MC cable? In other words if a feeder passes thru a patient care area to get to a panelboard, is hard pipe required as it is not a "branch circuit".

4. In the definitions of 517, how does patient care vancinity correlate with patient care area? Would lighting in a patient care area be exempt because its is above the 7'-6" height indicated in the definition of patient care vacinity?

Any input is greatly appreciated!

 

[roger]

I have the following questions on this code section and how it applies to Hospital Grade MC cable.

1. Can the hospital grade MC be used in branch circuits in patient care areas or does (1) limits you to hard pipe?

You can use it if you meet one or more the conditions of 517.30(C)(3)(3)

2. If the answer to the above question is "NO" than is it acceptable to hard pipe within a patient care area and set a j-box outside it (say in a corridor) and MC a homerun back to the panel?

Not if it is part of the Emergency system

3. Does this code section apply to feeders routed in "feeder type" MC cable? In other words if a feeder passes thru a patient care area to get to a panelboard, is hard pipe required as it is not a "branch circuit".

The section covers all of the emergency system, see figures 1 & 2

4. In the definitions of 517, how does patient care vancinity correlate with patient care area? Would lighting in a patient care area be exempt because its is above the 7'-6" height indicated in the definition of patient care vacinity?

Any input is greatly appreciated!

Patient vicinity is the areas immediate to the bed or table, patient care areas are the spaces these vicinities are in. The protection of the emergency system goes beyond Patient Care areas.

Roger