Anyone seen this thing?

[danickstr]

Take a look at teh pdf file. It seems to imply that you can use a "power wire" in the wall and the boxes they provide look like low voltage.

I looked at it awhile, and ended up a bit confused.

http://www.powersystemsdirect.com/P...werkit-Pro-Module-Surge-Protector-MIW_455.php

 

[480sparky]

Right from that link:

Home ? Surge Protection and Suppression ? Panamax Surge Protection ? Panamax Max In Wall Series ? MIW-POWERKIT-PRO.

Seems to be a surge protection device.

 

[danickstr]

Sorry, I was wondering more if it is a legal install, since the boxes and the wire to go into the wall looked like they were not to code. I should re-do the title, to "is this thing legal?" But that is a lot of work, and they will want me to explain the edit in the little thingy...

 

[LarryFine]

Dan, the only "non-standard" part is the inlet plate, which is easy enough to make:

The inlet lets you use the same power filter as the rest of the system. You can use a clock receptacle behind the TV if you need a shallow profile.

Standard boxes and NM are the rest of the items needed. You're basically building an in-wall extension cord.

 

[MarkWhite]

Standard boxes and NM are the rest of the items needed. You're basically building an in-wall extension cord.

Don't try it in Washington State.
We recently had this discussion over a similar piece of equipment.

By feeding that "in-wall extension cord" with a flexible cord you are now using that cord as part of a permanent wiring system.

From the December 2009 Electrical Currents Newsletter

 Circuit Extensions Connected By Extension Cords Are Not Allowed
A variety of products are now on the market in response
to the demand for providing concealed power to wall
mounted flat screen televisions and similar devices.
Most of these products consist of a kit that contains a
cut-in outlet box for behind the television, a cut-in outlet
box for below the television, a length of Type NM used
to connect the two boxes and a standard duplex
receptacle for behind the TV. Also included in the kit is
a male receptacle for the lower cut in box and an
extension cord used to connect the male receptacle to a
nearby existing outlet. This picture is an example of one
manufacturer?s system.
NEC 408.4 (1) says that flexible cords and cables must
not be used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a
structure. The requirements of the National Electrical Code take precedence over any overall product
listing information provided with this type of circuit extension kit.

 

[LarryFine]

Also included in the kit is ... an extension cord used to connect the male receptacle to a nearby existing outlet.

I recommend plugging the cord into the same surge strip the rest of the system plugs into.

NEC 408.4 (1) says that flexible cords and cables must not be used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure.

I wasn't aware that something plugged into a receptacle was part of the fixed wiring.


Are they saying that anything plugged into a receptacle cannot re-enter walls, even though an approved wiring method is used?

Added: If not, what are inlets used for? They obviously are intended to accept flexible cord, and we need an in-wall wiring method.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Larry
400.8 states that cords are not permitted to pass through walls. This product is not listed, most likely because they have not tried - probably due to the cord in the wall.

MHO - this is not a permitted wiring method.

 

[e57]

To be clear - "clean power" is snake oil, and opium for audio gear heads...

That said I don't think the cord pictured is to be installed in the wall... It appears to be a Proprietary cord cap and inlet - which then feed the premise wiring method and out of the fancy plate... Or at least that is the type of install I was forced to do for some idiot with another brand...

 

[LarryFine]

Larry
400.8 states that cords are not permitted to pass through walls. This product is not listed, most likely because they have not tried - probably due to the cord in the wall.

MHO - this is not a permitted wiring method.

Ah, there's the difference: I use a pair of old-work boxes with a length of NM between the boxes, not the rubber cord.

Picture a 2-receptacle circuit sans the home run. One end of the NM gets an inlet, and the other end gets a receptacle.

I say the NM is not part of the premises wiring system; there's no direct connection between it and the house's wiring.

 

[e57]

I say the NM is not part of the premises wiring system; there's no direct connection between it and the house's wiring.

So.... It's an SDS? :roll:

 

[winnie]

If I understand the system as described by Larry, the flexible cord never enters the wall.

Instead an 'inlet' is used at one location on the wall, and an outlet provided elsewhere, with any acceptable fixed wiring method used in between. A piece of equipment (such as a surge suppressor or UPS) is plugged into an ordinary receptacle. Then a flexible cord with male and female ends (an extension cord) goes between that piece of equipment an the 'inlet'.

I believe the Washington State issue is with the flexible cords going to the between the power conditioning equipment and the wall.

-Jon

 

[LarryFine]

If I understand the system as described by Larry . . .

You do.

 

[Joel P]

So what is the right answer? If it is for another reason other then a TV or projector then it is ok? What if you want to protect those devices on the main power surge protector or UPS?

If I connect it to a surge protector or UPS first will this pass? When the inspector comes to inspect will he look at the input and output with NM cable between (even though it is not plugged into the house wired outlet) and fail the inspection?

What is the danger in this type of set up that they are trying to protect the homes from?

Oh and these arent rhetorical questions I really do what to know everyones thoughts on this.

Thanks everyone!

 

[TT009]

So what is the right answer? If it is for another reason other then a TV or projector then it is ok? What if you want to protect those devices on the main power surge protector or UPS?

If I connect it to a surge protector or UPS first will this pass? When the inspector comes to inspect will he look at the input and output with NM cable between (even though it is not plugged into the house wired outlet) and fail the inspection?

Thanks everyone!

From looking at the specs...as long as it is listed I would say it would be ok to install. But asking the inspector would probably be your best bet.

 

[marcerrin]

I've installed a ton of these in Washington State and had inspections on all of them.
The power cord that comes with it is not intended, nor should it be, put in the wall. Once you get it in your hands and look at it, it becomes a little more clear.
I use them in alot of home theaters where the components are in a closet, remote from the TV. Run NM between the inlet (mounted in the component closet)and the outlet (mounted behind the TV), plug the "power cord" male end into the surge protector or power cleaner (mounted in the component closet) and the female end into the inlet (mounted in the component closet as stated above). The cord never physically enters the wall.
They work great and provide a nice, clean install.
The concern in Washington State is the insulation on the power cord. Its not rated to be installed "within walls" which with this product, its not intended to be.