In an industrial environment, can buss drop cable be used from the buss(480) to a permanently located machine? I see in the code that it is OK, but refers to 400.7 and 400.8 and that does not allow the installation. Can the same buss drop cable be used for 110V receptacles? it has been practice for over 30 years in our facility, so there is alot to remove if this is not ok...job security??
Buss Drop Cable
- Thread starter rwooten
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Re: Buss Drop Cable
The buss is tapped using a fused disconnect. not really an AHJ thing anymore some idiot called OSHA abaout something totally unrelated. They found an outlet that was not secured, we fixed it, we received a violation anyway. the repair we were told had to be in conduit. since this repair was made in conduit, all of the others are a willfull violation, so our safety director that has no electrical experience says. so we just opened a large can.
The buss is tapped using a fused disconnect. not really an AHJ thing anymore some idiot called OSHA abaout something totally unrelated. They found an outlet that was not secured, we fixed it, we received a violation anyway. the repair we were told had to be in conduit. since this repair was made in conduit, all of the others are a willfull violation, so our safety director that has no electrical experience says. so we just opened a large can.
Re: Buss Drop Cable
someone will chime in here in a minute about code, but i work in an industrial environment.
We do all our drops in ridid conduit.
I would say, that an industrial environment, by its nature, makes wireing methods subject to physical harm.
Your best bet may be to work out a correction schedule. and ask the saftey man to hire some helpers for you to fix this as soon as possible.
someone will chime in here in a minute about code, but i work in an industrial environment.
We do all our drops in ridid conduit.
I would say, that an industrial environment, by its nature, makes wireing methods subject to physical harm.
Your best bet may be to work out a correction schedule. and ask the saftey man to hire some helpers for you to fix this as soon as possible.
Re: Buss Drop Cable
Like I said before this has been common practice, so I did not give it any thought, I just figured it must be ok or something would have been done in the past. So far I have figure I need to order over 10,000 feet of conduit to make all of the repairs. Not to mention all of the wire to go inside this small amount of conduit. Any code refrences would be greatly appreciated, I spent most of the day searching the NEC 2005. Just trying to do what is right and I guess we will learn from our mistakes. The industy is more of a large machine shop. alot of CNC equipment.
Like I said before this has been common practice, so I did not give it any thought, I just figured it must be ok or something would have been done in the past. So far I have figure I need to order over 10,000 feet of conduit to make all of the repairs. Not to mention all of the wire to go inside this small amount of conduit. Any code refrences would be greatly appreciated, I spent most of the day searching the NEC 2005. Just trying to do what is right and I guess we will learn from our mistakes. The industy is more of a large machine shop. alot of CNC equipment.
Re: Buss Drop Cable
to give more detail i need to know alot more about the situation.
is the buss duct in the ceiling.is the buss duct on the wall.height of the ceiling. distance from wall. is the area between the wall and machine a walk way, i could go on.
the thing to do is see what the enviornment is then look through the code to see what wireing methods are acceptable for that situation.
to give more detail i need to know alot more about the situation.
is the buss duct in the ceiling.is the buss duct on the wall.height of the ceiling. distance from wall. is the area between the wall and machine a walk way, i could go on.
the thing to do is see what the enviornment is then look through the code to see what wireing methods are acceptable for that situation.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician (retired)
Re: Buss Drop Cable
I'm with Frank, I don't see a problem if your installation complies with 368.56(B). Properly installed cord and cable assemblies are permitted to supply portable equipment or stationary equipment that may require interchange in accordance with 400.7 and 400.8.
I'm with Frank, I don't see a problem if your installation complies with 368.56(B). Properly installed cord and cable assemblies are permitted to supply portable equipment or stationary equipment that may require interchange in accordance with 400.7 and 400.8.
Re: Buss Drop Cable
I would recommend getting copies of NFPA 70B; 70E; and 79 and becoming more familiar with the necessary codes for an industrial establishment. How old are these machines? Many of the older machines had rotary disconnects mounted on the door which are no longer accepable. They violate LOTO procedures. Why did someone call in OSHA? If OSHA only looked at one item and it was corrected, it still doesn't necessarily follow that everything is in compliance.
If there should be an accident causing death or serious injury and it involved any kind of violation, there will be big time law suit.
I would recommend getting copies of NFPA 70B; 70E; and 79 and becoming more familiar with the necessary codes for an industrial establishment. How old are these machines? Many of the older machines had rotary disconnects mounted on the door which are no longer accepable. They violate LOTO procedures. Why did someone call in OSHA? If OSHA only looked at one item and it was corrected, it still doesn't necessarily follow that everything is in compliance.
If there should be an accident causing death or serious injury and it involved any kind of violation, there will be big time law suit.
Re: Buss Drop Cable
OSHA was called because someone felt that their issues were not being delt with properly by the company. While they were there it seemed everyone had something to complain about, so they did a survey of the plant, took pictures and so on. the one thing we were sited on, we repaired, but now our safety director wants the entire factory changed, which involves approx 10,000' of conduit and around 40,000' of wire. WHAT FUN. I have dug into the code and the 400.7 says for frequent interchange. we don't frequently move our machinery. The machinery dates any where from 1 year old to 30 years old. most everything in the factory has up to date disconnects mounted on the electrical panel of each machine. since we could not find anything in stone that said we could have this cable drop, our manager is going to have us rewire the entire plant floor.
OSHA was called because someone felt that their issues were not being delt with properly by the company. While they were there it seemed everyone had something to complain about, so they did a survey of the plant, took pictures and so on. the one thing we were sited on, we repaired, but now our safety director wants the entire factory changed, which involves approx 10,000' of conduit and around 40,000' of wire. WHAT FUN. I have dug into the code and the 400.7 says for frequent interchange. we don't frequently move our machinery. The machinery dates any where from 1 year old to 30 years old. most everything in the factory has up to date disconnects mounted on the electrical panel of each machine. since we could not find anything in stone that said we could have this cable drop, our manager is going to have us rewire the entire plant floor.
Re: Buss Drop Cable
"involves approx 10,000' of conduit and around 40,000' of wire. WHAT FUN."
The copper and steel industries thank you for your continued business!
Make sure you review the support requirements for RGC, you may have to drop a strut alongside it if you have a tall ceiling.
"involves approx 10,000' of conduit and around 40,000' of wire. WHAT FUN."
The copper and steel industries thank you for your continued business!
Make sure you review the support requirements for RGC, you may have to drop a strut alongside it if you have a tall ceiling.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
Re: Buss Drop Cable
If they are going to make your bus drops conform to the 2005 NEC 400.7 (rather than the NEC that was in effect at the time of original installation) are they also making you redo all of the other sections/things that have also changed?
If they are going to make your bus drops conform to the 2005 NEC 400.7 (rather than the NEC that was in effect at the time of original installation) are they also making you redo all of the other sections/things that have also changed?
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