208 volt relay in wireway?

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bflaaen

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Hello,

We have an application where we need to install a 208 volt single phase relay to open/close a 208 volt single phase power feed to some equipment. This relay does not come with its own enclosure and has screw terminals on the base.

The easiest place to mount this relay is in a wireway located just below the equipment. Is this allowed? The relay would be base mounted to the wireway.

Thanks.
 
It need not be a wireway, but can simply be a box, such as 6x6, 8x8, etc., depending on relay and conductor sizes.

You sure it's okay to break only one line? You might want a 2-pole relay (and that may be all you'll find anyway.)
 
I was involved with a Babies "r" Us remodel (at night...wow, was that ever boring) and the contractor mounted the 100 amp, 120/208 volt lighting contractor (serving the low voltage lighting panel) in the trough above the panel. Legal...yes, but sure was scary to remove the trough lid and have the unprotected lugs on the contactor to greet you.
 
The code does not prohibit or permit this installation, but there appears to be an intent to prohibit exposed live terminals in a wireway. See 376.56(B)(4).
 
Also the material in use here is an Auxilliary Gutter not a Metal Wireway and

366.12(1) does not allow such equipment installed.
 
benaround said:
Also the material in use here is an Auxilliary Gutter not a Metal Wireway and

366.12(1) does not allow such equipment installed.
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I agree... though Article 366 does not distinguish very well when a metal wireway is an auxiliary gutter.

If one extends the sheet metal enclosure beyond 30' from the equipment facilitated, can it simply be deemed metal wireway and not be a violation?

What if the sheet metal enclosure doesn't connect directly (surface -to-surface) to the facilitated equipment, but rather does so indirectly, say with a full stick conduit... or a close nipple with two locknuts between surfaces?

.
 
An axillary gutter is an actual extension of the equipment. In most cases it is supplied by the equipment manufacturer. I have seen very few axillary gutters but a lot of wireways.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
An axillary gutter is an actual extension of the equipment. In most cases it is supplied by the equipment manufacturer. I have seen very few axillary gutters but a lot of wireways.
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I would agree with you if Article 366 made that distinction.
 
petersonra said:
This is a pretty common thing. I can't think of a reason it would be prohibited, or should.
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Exposed energized parts is reason enough for me for it to be prohibited. Let's say this relay is in operation and an electrician has to pull an unrelated circuit through the gutter/wireway.
 
Smart $ said:
I would agree with you if Article 366 made that distinction.
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If you can find some UL listed 'auxiliary gutter' in the supply house there might be a problem, but all I get is UL listed wire way. ;)
 
iwire said:
If you can find some UL listed 'auxiliary gutter' in the supply house there might be a problem, but all I get is UL listed wire way. ;)
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How so?

Auxiliary gutters are not required to be listed as auxiliary gutters.

Also, the definition does not exclude wireway used in the manner defined. In fact, the entire definition of metal wireway is included within the definition of auxiliary gutters, with the exception of one word in each—auxiliary gutter uses "enclosure" while metal wireway uses "trough".
 
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Smart $ said:
How so?
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How so? :-?

All the Ul stickers on the parts I receive say "wireway" so IMO it is wireway not axillary gutter, not a cabinet, not a conduit body or even a device box. :)

It's use has already been determined by how the manufacturer chose to have it tested and listed.
 
Auxilliry Gutter and Metal Wireway differ only in their intended use. Metal

A.G. if listed by UL bear the UL listing mark " Listed Wireway " or " Auxilliry Gutter ".

Their use dictate what section of code to use.

One example I can compare it to is, RMC, elbows and couplings, and fittings

shall be listed. Is a RMC nipple listed as a nipple or as RMC, the nipple having

code rules different than the RMC, just has a different use.
 
Smart $ said:
Exposed energized parts is reason enough for me for it to be prohibited. Let's say this relay is in operation and an electrician has to pull an unrelated circuit through the gutter/wireway.
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these days most relays have "fingersafe" terminals.

besides, you are not supposed to work on live equipment anyway!!!!
 
Sounds like a power relay, Grainger stocks enclosures for those for less than $15-20, About the size of handy box. RIB relays though are much easier to use, as they come with their own enclosure.
 
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