Can you hardwire a piece of portable equipment?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Check with the manufacturer. I am sure they are aware that the equipment is on wheels. If they say to hard wire it, then you can.

But you have peaked the curiosity of a number of members, and I just elected myself their spokesman. :wink: What they want to ask is this: what is the equipment, and who is asking about hard-wiring it?
 
In our commercial building, an Electrician hardwired a big freezer, which sit on wheels. He ran flex. conduit and wires from the freezer to a safety switch, then conduit back to the electrical panel. Questions came up as if someone push the freezer further than the flex. conduit allowed, that would create a harzous condition. He said the NEC code doesn't prevent him from doing it. I suggested him to use receptacle/plug but he refuse to until I can provide him a code article mentions about this. So please help!!!!
 
I understand your concern now. But someone is going to have to help me on one point. Is this conduit the stuff called "FMC"? Does 348 apply here? Because if it does, then I think you have a violation of 348.12(7), in that the installation being described here, specifically because the equipment is on wheels, will subject the flex conduit to physical damage.

If that doesn't work, all I can offer is 110.3(B). If the instructions that came with the equipment do not allow this equipment to be hard wired, then this is the article that would have been violated.
 
All I can mention is for jurisdictions local to me, with seismic and other (unlicensed street vendor) situations. For something to be permitted to be cord and plug connected, it must be very clearly portable and intended to be moved daily. I've never seen a commercial freezer used like this, but they probably do exist. Commercial refrigerators and freezers are hard wired, at least here.

Since 99 (? - was it) everything with wheels has been required to have locking casters or an equivalent lock, such as a lifting foot device, whether it had it when new or not.

Most every portable cord connected food equipment I can think of, such as hot dog carts, is subject to a local health department, which generally requires storage at a commissary just like a lunch truck. I don't know whether what we do here is NEC, health, building and safety, but suspect that building officials cooperate with health departments in setting these requirements. It may be different depending on your area.
 
Thank you all for your help.
This is not a new piece of equipment so I do not know how it was delivered. I can call the manufacture and find out. But just common sense, how can you hard wired a piece of equipment that on wheels. So I will take Charlie's advice on possible physically damage the flex. conduit if the freezer is pushed further than the flex. is allowed.

Please keep the info. coming. As a young Engineer, I need it......
Thank you again.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
Charlie gave you good information, and it will necessitate you to call the manufacturer.
One other question; did the unit come equiped with a cord or did it come with a KO?
Click to expand...

I was just thinking the same thing! Did the freezer come with a cord? Do you have the instruction manual and/or installation manual?

I would agree with charlie b
Because if it does, then I think you have a violation of 348.12(7), in that the installation being described here, specifically because the equipment is on wheels, will subject the flex conduit to physical damage.
Click to expand...
I can see someone trying to clean under the freezer and roll it away and the next thing you know your electrician is back. This same thing could still happen with a cord and plug, but at least it can be disconnected easily.
 
tran1336 said:
But just common sense, how can you hard wired a piece of equipment that on wheels.
Click to expand...
The wheels are probably not the issue.

You said this is a "big freezer" in a commercial building. Common sense is that it will be very heavy, and moved only to clean to satisfy health department regulations, that is, moved only infrequently and only just enough to get behind / under it.

The real question, in my mind, is where the point is that the wiring from the wall (Premises Wiring System : see Article 100 Definitions) ends and the wiring in the freezer (Utilization Equipment : see Article 100 Definitions) begins.

The NEC only covers the wiring up to the edge of the Premises Wiring System.

If the freezer comes with a flexible conduit whip (not likely) the whip can be part of the freezer, the utilization equipment.

But, more likely, the flex was installed to the freezer by the electrician, making the end of the flex that connects to the freezer the "edge" of the Premises Wiring System, and placing the flex whip under the NC.

Looking at 348.30(A) and 348.30(A) Exception No. 2 I would check the freezer whip to see that the various lengths are within the limits.
 
Keep in mind the NEC is 'mostly" for premise wiring, and not for portable or cord connected devices.
Mostly are there are rules for extension cords, lamps, air conditioners, etc
But I agree you would violate the listing of the equipment.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top