Abandoned Cables

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This question pertains to Industrial Facilites. Is it a "requirement " for Motor Feeder cables ( 3 phase 480VAC ) and controls to be removed from Cable Trays after they are abandon and no longer in use ?

Additionally is this a "requirement" in Commercial Applications also ? Seems that we have heard / read this somewhere in the 2014 NEC.
Does this just pertain to low voltage data cabling ?
 
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Only such requirement I am aware of pertains to low voltage data cabling, and even that can remain if somehow identified for future use.
 
Whether or not it's mandatory, you'd think somebody would want them even if only for their scrap value.
 
Journeyman Electrician / General Foreman

Journeyman Electrician / General Foreman

Thank you much ! This particular application has 3 existing 200HP 3 phase 480VAC motors in service and we are replacing them with 3 new 250HP 3 phase motors and pumps etc... Needless to say the existing feeder's (350KCMIL tray cable type ) are too small so we have 3 new 500KCMIL TC feeders laying up in the tray awaiting the day when the "turnaround" begins in March 2018.

As you can imagine the existing cable trays are "FULL" , our new feeder's are in a new tray nearby , but as we all know it is just good practice to remove unused cables etc... But the so-called "Value Engineering" end of this will more than likely play a role here also ??

Thanks again , look forward to utilizing this forum !!!
 
Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance

Normally the facility that the work is taking place in will have engineering standards stating whether or not the abandon cables are required to be removed or abandoned in place. Any deviation from the standard will require approval from the standard owner. The reason for the deviation is that sometimes taking existing cables out of a live cable tray can cause injury or death or loss of equipment power or both.
 
Thank you much ! This particular application has 3 existing 200HP 3 phase 480VAC motors in service and we are replacing them with 3 new 250HP 3 phase motors and pumps etc... Needless to say the existing feeder's (350KCMIL tray cable type ) are too small so we have 3 new 500KCMIL TC feeders laying up in the tray awaiting the day when the "turnaround" begins in March 2018.

As you can imagine the existing cable trays are "FULL" , our new feeder's are in a new tray nearby , but as we all know it is just good practice to remove unused cables etc... But the so-called "Value Engineering" end of this will more than likely play a role here also ??

Thanks again , look forward to utilizing this forum !!!

The value of "Value Added Engineering" in this case will depend on whether you work for a contractor or the owner. The scrap value of the old feeders will probably pay for the labor to remove them, or even more. Well worth it for owner-supplied labor. And you get more space in the tray.
 
This question pertains to Industrial Facilites. Is it a "requirement " for Motor Feeder cables ( 3 phase 480VAC ) and controls to be removed from Cable Trays after they are abandon and no longer in use ?

Additionally is this a "requirement" in Commercial Applications also ? Seems that we have heard / read this somewhere in the 2014 NEC.
Does this just pertain to low voltage data cabling ?


Is your application in your Industrial Facility in a hazardous area?

I have abandoned cables grounded out.
 
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