We need to run 14awg 3 conductor power cables in conduit and in plenums/ducts. This is for >200VAC power. Our customer wants the standard color code of brown, blue, and grn/yel. The cable should be rated for 600V. I can find power cables with the proper color code easily, but they are not plenum rated (SO, SJT, etc.) I can also find plenum rated cables, but the color codes are wrong. Does such a cable exist, or do we need to buy the plenum cables and tape the conductor ends with the proper colors?
cable type question (plenum)
- Thread starter jimwilson
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ryan_618
Senior Member
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- Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: cable type question (plenum)
The type of conductors aren't restricted if they are in a metal raceway.
The type of conductors aren't restricted if they are in a metal raceway.
hbiss
EC, Westchester, New York NEC: 2014
- Location
- Hawthorne, New York NEC: 2014
- Occupation
- EC
Re: cable type question (plenum)
I think you have several misunderstandings here. First there is a difference between ducts, plenums and air handling spaces. See article 300.22
A duct or plenum is a fabrication specifically designed to transport environmental air. You cannot run any wiring within a duct or plenum unless it is specifically for control or lighting within the plenum or duct.
You may be talking about the air handling space above a hung ceiling. You are limited in the types of wiring and methods permitted but what you propose can be done. Again, see 300.22(C)
If you are looking for specific colors you will probably have to run everything in conduit and pull THHN conductors which are available in brown and blue however I've never seen green/yellow. You may be able to find MC with those colors but I doubt it unless you you want to pay to have it custom made.
You cannot use SO or SJT cord (or any flexible cordage) for this even in conduit.
Another thought, you might look to see what colors are available with type TC which could be pulled through conduit.
-Hal
I think you have several misunderstandings here. First there is a difference between ducts, plenums and air handling spaces. See article 300.22
A duct or plenum is a fabrication specifically designed to transport environmental air. You cannot run any wiring within a duct or plenum unless it is specifically for control or lighting within the plenum or duct.
You may be talking about the air handling space above a hung ceiling. You are limited in the types of wiring and methods permitted but what you propose can be done. Again, see 300.22(C)
If you are looking for specific colors you will probably have to run everything in conduit and pull THHN conductors which are available in brown and blue however I've never seen green/yellow. You may be able to find MC with those colors but I doubt it unless you you want to pay to have it custom made.
You cannot use SO or SJT cord (or any flexible cordage) for this even in conduit.
Another thought, you might look to see what colors are available with type TC which could be pulled through conduit.
-Hal
Re: cable type question (plenum)
This particular application is an industrial setting, with these cables running in conduit through RACO fittings into Hoffman enclosures. The cables will come from facilities and will also run between enclosures. Once inside the enclosure, there is Panduit non-conductive cable track used in the typical manner. So maybe my question is more of asking what type cable should be used to run 230VAC through a conduit and into a Hoffman enclosure? The max current is 15A. Thanks.
This particular application is an industrial setting, with these cables running in conduit through RACO fittings into Hoffman enclosures. The cables will come from facilities and will also run between enclosures. Once inside the enclosure, there is Panduit non-conductive cable track used in the typical manner. So maybe my question is more of asking what type cable should be used to run 230VAC through a conduit and into a Hoffman enclosure? The max current is 15A. Thanks.
hbiss
EC, Westchester, New York NEC: 2014
- Location
- Hawthorne, New York NEC: 2014
- Occupation
- EC
Re: cable type question (plenum)
The cables will come from facilities and will also run between enclosures.
What I said above. You can't use flexible SO type cords for permanent wiring.
Certainly between enclosures you should have no problem with conduit and individual THHN conductors.
I'm not sure what you mean by "facility". If it's a connection to a J box or panel for the building again the same situation applies.
If you are talking about something like machinery or a controller affixed to it you can use a short length of flexible cord to go between the machinery and a J box where it would transition to conduit. Another option is flexible greenfield or sealtite conduit for that short length.
Seems to me that you are going to a lot of trouble just because you want to use non- standard colors. If you were to use the standard US colors sounds like this could be done easily with type MC.
-Hal
The cables will come from facilities and will also run between enclosures.
What I said above. You can't use flexible SO type cords for permanent wiring.
Certainly between enclosures you should have no problem with conduit and individual THHN conductors.
I'm not sure what you mean by "facility". If it's a connection to a J box or panel for the building again the same situation applies.
If you are talking about something like machinery or a controller affixed to it you can use a short length of flexible cord to go between the machinery and a J box where it would transition to conduit. Another option is flexible greenfield or sealtite conduit for that short length.
Seems to me that you are going to a lot of trouble just because you want to use non- standard colors. If you were to use the standard US colors sounds like this could be done easily with type MC.
-Hal
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