AC/DC Power Supply Above Drop Ceiling

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SMcNally

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San Diego, CA
We manufacture a device that uses a wall mount AC adaptor to convert 120VAC to 5VDC 2 amps. Some of our customers want to use the device in hospitals above the drop ceilings, but I've been informed that they are running into electrical code issues because they can?t put a 120VAC outlet above the ceiling. They have also mentioned that the inspectors don?t like that our device has a DC jack that can be disconnected.


Ideally, they would like to run 120VAC directly to our device, but we are hesitant to do this because we would need to redesign the device and we would probably need a UL certification (not to mention our general fear of adding AC to our device!).


We need to find a solution fast and we don?t typically work with AC or NEC, so I?m hoping one of you can point me in the right direction. My question is how do electricians deal with DC requirements above ceilings? Could we use an AC/DC power supply (like the ones commonly used for LED lights) above a drop ceiling in a hospital? Would it need to be in a junction box? And finally, if this complies with the NEC and is common, where would I buy them??? (Obviously we wouldn?t be installing them, but we could include them in our installation kit and keep our customers happy!)


Thanks for your help!
 
That's possible sometimes, but our device is usually installed above MRI rooms, so there isn't always access to a wall mounted receptacle. That's why we're getting dinged. I need to find a hardwired solution. Doesn't this come up with LED lights or other DC applications?
 
The NEC does not prohibit a 120 volt receptacle above a dropped ceiling. It only prohibits certain types of cord being ran to it.
 
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Microwatt said:
The NEC does not prohibit a 120 volt receptacle above a dropped ceiling. It only prohibits certain types of cord being ran to it.
Click to expand...

Take a look at the hardware and discussion in this thread.

1. I think that installing something like that at the level of the dropped ceiling, you could either mount your equipment on the same plate or perhaps run a cord UP from the down-facing outlet to your device's power supply. Make sure that the power supply qualifies as Class 2 limited power and then there are not nearly as many restrictions on how you can run the DC to your device or where the device itself is mounted.

2. Look also at the exception for putting specific kinds of electrical equipment, identified by purpose, above the dropped ceiling.

3. You can also plug a modular power supply (wall wart) directly into an outlet above the dropped ceiling because no portable cord is involved in the 120V side of the wiring.
 
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