cord and plug connected panelboard

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madpenguin

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I find it kind of amusing.

My brother wants to utilize a 30A dryer receptacle in his basement to power a very small sub panel that is to be used for his work bench area. Couple lights, couple receptacles for a jig saw, circular or what have you. Nothing 30A can't handle. Service panel is full and he also still want's to be able to use his dryer and just unplug it and then plug in his subpanel when he's want's to tinker at the bench.

Thanks guys. I kind of shook my head as an initial reaction but the more I thought about it, as long as it's terminated correctly and the cord isn't exposed to physical damage, it shouldn't pose a problem. However, if the NEC specifically prohibits this, then I'd rather dissuade him from doing so.

Can anyone point me to some NEC references that might allow or disallow this?

Thanks.
 
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I guess I should clarify that's it's not meant to be a fixed in place panelboard. There will be no individual branch circuits leaving said enclosure. He wanted to affix 3 different bell boxes to the outside via the knock outs and have each duplex receptacle on a different breaker.

The idea was to be able to unplug it and unscrew it from the wall as if it was never there. Just a glorified heavy-duty extension cord....
 
Thanks all. That's what I thought. I was concerned about the flexible cord being used as a feeder cable for multiple branch circuits. Just doesn't sound right but hey... Whatever.

It is 10/3 so proper termination isn't an issue.

Thanks again.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
This is not a manufacturer's product, you are field installing products for construction. I do not see this as being an acceptable installation...but who would ever see it anyway.
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The question is acceptable to whom? If you cut your extension cord in half with the electric hedge trimmer who can stop you from splicing it back together and using it in your own home?
 
Do a google search for "Hubble Spider" or "portable power distribution unit". Be careful about things such as strain relief on the flexible cable, use of proper flexible cable, proper termination of flexible cable (most terminals are not designed for 'finely stranded' wire), use of enclosures without loose knockouts, etc.

-Jon
 
It's a very interesting idea. Even clever.
I agree with infinity that it isn't restricted by the NEC

It's a multi-branch over current protected relocatable power tap.
 
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Twoskinsoneman said:
It's a very interesting idea. Even clever.
I agree with infinity that it isn't restricted by the NEC

It's a multi-branch over current protected relocatable power tap.
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There you go. Let's be a little open minded about this. It's a custom built workbench power supply.
 
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winnie said:
Do a google search for "Hubble Spider" or "portable power distribution unit". Be careful about things such as strain relief on the flexible cable, use of proper flexible cable, proper termination of flexible cable (most terminals are not designed for 'finely stranded' wire), use of enclosures without loose knockouts, etc.

-Jon
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Spider boxes cost real money.... Although I have a refurbed one I did essentially the same with in my garage. On the clock it would have cost the customer more than a new one for me to replace all the GFI's and worn out recepticals - so when they chucked it - off the clock it cost me little to fix it up.
 
I own 2 spider boxes and probably around 200 feet of the 6/4. They are NOT cheap. constructed of thick sheetmetal, bolt on breakers, some wire nuts, panel mount GFCI's, and some spec grade [if your lucky] receptacles. Now the only thing I see different between this and the OP's box is one is listed and tested. If the OP's box was made by an electrician, I really see no problem with it. Just as long as he is plugging it into a NEMA 14-30R

~Matt
 
Aside from any listing issues, I dont see a problem if the thing is assembled by a qualified individual. Where these get scary are the ones Bands and mobile DJs end up with, duplex receptacles protected by 30a breakers (15+15=30?) 3 wire input, etc. I even saw one with a 4 wire input, but the grounding conductor was run through a toggle switch to 'lift' the ground if the audio system had a hum. Devices that would make Dr. Kevorkian proud...
 
TOOL_5150 said:
I own 2 spider boxes and probably around 200 feet of the 6/4. They are NOT cheap. constructed of thick sheetmetal, bolt on breakers, some wire nuts, panel mount GFCI's, and some spec grade [if your lucky] receptacles. Now the only thing I see different between this and the OP's box is one is listed and tested. If the OP's box was made by an electrician, I really see no problem with it. Just as long as he is plugging it into a NEMA 14-30R

~Matt
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Yeah, the 6/4 is not cheap. I have 3000ft of 6/3+8/1 on the way :D
 
madpenguin said:
I was concerned about the flexible cord being used as a feeder cable for multiple branch circuits.
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It's not a feeder, it's an outlet strip on steroids.

It is 10/3 so proper termination isn't an issue.
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If 10/3 plus ground, and 4-prong receptacle, cord, and plug, then yes, it's cool.

I wouldn't attempt it with a 3-wire circuit, though.
 
If you bolt this to a unatached work bench then i think it is outside of nec. Would suggest it is 4 wire for safety. This kind of rigging has nothing in nec. Nothing an inspector could do as long as unpluged. Seen worse and done some shady things like get 240 for air compressor from 2 receptacles by sticking wire into each hot. Legal , safe ? NOPE but they work in a pinch. Maybe you could try doing this legal way for x mas
 
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