120 VAC Wall receptacles fed from UPS

[tganz96]

We have a customer that has 5 display computers and monitors for displaying process information in a new control room being built. We had initially planned a home run circuit for each computer / monitor combo with small ups to protect each one so 5 small ups units.

Now the customer wants all 5 outlets wired to the ups and not the breaker panel and use the larger ups in their server rack in the adjacent room to power them. This is all raised floor and MC cable but most of the wall outlets are run through the studs with MC back to the breaker panel.

The load is no problem because the ups are sized 400% over what's needed for the rack it's supplying. I don't think this is a code violation but not 100% sure.

If it's not a code violation do these outlet covers have to a different color or something to indicate they are fed from a UPS and not from a circuit directly in the breaker panel.

The large UPS in the server rack is fed by a 230 VAC circuit.

 

[tganz96]

The consoles will be floor boxes, and the TVs will be normal wall outlets.

 

[kwired]

Will you still have 15 or 20 amp receptacles and 15 or 20 amp conductors protected by 15 or 20 amp overcurrent devices?

 

[hillbilly1]

CVS does something similar, they have a small ups that a cord and plug from the wall feeds several receptacles in the pharmacy area. Kinda sketchy way to do it, but it’s what their engineers want.

 

[hillbilly1]

Will you still have 15 or 20 amp receptacles and 15 or 20 amp conductors protected by 15 or 20 amp overcurrent devices?

The ups usually has its own internal circuit breaker, so ocp should not be a problem, as long as the output cord is of sufficient size.

 

[tom baker]

Although commonly done, is the cord from UPS outlet to building wiring inlet allowed per NEC?

 

[hillbilly1]

Although commonly done, is the cord from UPS outlet to building wiring inlet allowed per NEC?

I suppose you could liken it to a portable generator connection? Apparently engineers have found some loophole to be able to get it to pass inspection.

 

[LarryFine]

Although commonly done, is the cord from UPS outlet to building wiring inlet allowed per NEC?

I hope so. That's how I power wall-mounted TVs.

 

[Joethemechanic]

Wouldn't the plug and cord connection to the load side of the UPS be like the problem with cord and plug lights being permanently mounted. It would require tools to install and remove

 

[hbiss]

Although commonly done, is the cord from UPS outlet to building wiring inlet allowed per NEC?

Why not just use an inlet installed in the wall by the UPS. Then a short male/female cord from the UPS to the inlet. I don't think anybody could argue with that.

And I would make the UPS powered receptacles red or blue.

-Hal

 

[Joethemechanic]

Is a UPS a SDS? Grounding and bonding?

 

[hillbilly1]

Why not just use an inlet installed in the wall by the UPS. Then a short male/female cord from the UPS to the inlet. I don't think anybody could argue with that.

And I would make the UPS powered receptacles red or blue.

-Hal

It would be a much cleaner look, and not look like something was rigged up.

 

[tganz96]

Will you still have 15 or 20 amp receptacles and 15 or 20 amp conductors protected by 15 or 20 amp overcurrent devices?

So it would be standard receptacles with 12 AWG wire but fed from the ups so it has no protection per outlet but only protection for a group of outlets.

 

[retirede]

So it would be standard receptacles with 12 AWG wire but fed from the ups so it has no protection per outlet but only protection for a group of outlets.

No different than conventional non-ups outlets.

 

[LarryFine]

So it would be standard receptacles with 12 AWG wire but fed from the ups so it has no protection per outlet but only protection for a group of outlets.

You could feed a sub-panel from the UPS.

 

[Joethemechanic]

I think they need to make a smallish UPS that is listed for this application

 

[tom baker]

I hope so. That's how I power wall-mounted TVs.

Yes of course, but there is an exception for that, I may be able to find that section later

 

[hillbilly1]

I hope so. That's how I power wall-mounted TVs.

Plugging into a surge suppression strip in the cabinet below?

 

[LarryFine]

Plugging into a surge suppression strip in the cabinet below?

Yes, along with the rest of the equipment.

 

[kwired]

So it would be standard receptacles with 12 AWG wire but fed from the ups so it has no protection per outlet but only protection for a group of outlets.

Something mentioned that I initially wasn't thinking about is portable type UPS that would plug in and have receptacles on the unit could be scrutinized by art 400 as to whether you can use the flexible cord as permanent wiring. Outside of that I don't see any problems. This server rack UPS that is supplied by 240 volts may not be that type of unit? Listing instructions maybe next thing to consider, can it supply receptacles not part of the rack?