Exposed conductors inside lockable enclosure

[kgk1961]

We are installing stainless steel, lockable enclosures inside a corrections facility. The internal equipment is supplied with a 120VAC duplex receptacle mounted inside a handy box and mounted on the backboard assembly that is installed inside this enclosure.

This backboard assembly takes up the entire back of the enclosure. We have installed conduit into the top of the enclosure (per the manufacturer's direction) utilizing the proper connector. We pulled our three (3) #12AWG THHN conductors into the enclosure, formed them along the sides of the enclosure, terminated them to the receptacle, plugged in the backboard equipment, and closed, and locked, the cover (door). In order to form the conductors neatly, we utilized a "fire rated" "loop conduit" (similar to what you would find under the hood of your car) to better manage the conductors inside the enclosure.

The architect has comeback and said that the "exposed conductors" inside the stainless steel locked enclosure has to be in an "approved raceway" such as "sealtite". I disagree because the enclosure is lockable, and accessible to authorized personnel only. Under his assumption, you will need to install sealtite flexible conduit over the conductors inside a disconnecting means from the point of entrance to the termination point.

I need all responses, and code sections to back up your comments whether you agree or disagree.

 

[kgk1961]

Code Support

Code Support

No, the loop raceway does not terminate (connect) to the connector coming into the enclosure.
NEC 2014, Article 300.18 (A) Exception says that it doesn't have to...............

 

[petersonra]

The architect has comeback and said that the "exposed conductors" inside the stainless steel locked enclosure has to be in an "approved raceway" such as "sealtite".

Is the architect claiming this is somewhere in the code? Or in the job spec? Or just a good idea?

I disagree because the enclosure is lockable, and accessible to authorized personnel only.

I don't recall any exceptions in the code on this kind of thing that would make any difference that the enclosure is lockable or who it is accessible to.

Under his assumption, you will need to install sealtite flexible conduit over the conductors inside a disconnecting means from the point of entrance to the termination point.

I don't think the analogy works as well as you hope. The handy box is designed to have some kind of connector attached to it at the point where the wiring enters the box. There is no such issue at the termination point of a disconnect switch. I don't know that there is any code provision that would or would not require any kind of a raceway be used for an outlet box inside of an enclosure.

Take a look at 314.17. I think you are OK code wise as long as the wires are protected from abrasion.

One could also argue that no box is required at all according to 310.15 (I).

 

[steve66]

Is the "lockable enclosure" some type of listed electrical enclosure? Or is it something like a storage cabinet?

If its the first, I agree with you. If its something else, I agree with the architect.

 

[kgk1961]

Abarsion

Abarsion

Thanks Bob - The conductors are protected as they enter the handy box. The loop conduit actually extends up into the incoming conduit and into the handy box. The conductors are never exposed inside the enclosure.
This requirement does not appear anywhere in the design documents. The handy box was provided, and installed, by the manufacturer. The use of a handy box was not "shared information" until the backboards arrived onsite for installation. However, the conduit entering into the top of the enclosure was discussed in detail. All the enclosures were mounted with the conductors installed prior to receiving any backboards.
We are contracted to install these by the equipment manufacturer, so I feel that, if there is an issue, he should be responsible for any changes.

 

[kgk1961]

Is the "lockable enclosure" some type of listed electrical enclosure? Or is it something like a storage cabinet?

If its the first, I agree with you. If its something else, I agree with the architect.

It is a video visitation station (VVS). No storage space inside it. It is to allow for inmates to "video chat" with their guests without being removed from their housing area.

 

[tom baker]

Installing receptacles in control panels with exposed wiring is done all the time for industrial control panels. I was working on three this morning with GFCI DIN rail mount receptacles. With the door closed it meets UL 508A and NEC. Sometimes control panels will have disconnect switches that turn off all the power inside the enclosure before the door can be opened.

 

[kgk1961]

Installing receptacles in control panels with exposed wiring is done all the time for industrial control panels. I was working on three this morning with GFCI DIN rail mount receptacles. With the door closed it meets UL 508A and NEC. Sometimes control panels will have disconnect switches that turn off all the power inside the enclosure before the door can be opened.

Tom - THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
2014 NEC Article 800.133 (A) (1) (d), Exception No. 2

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