Cord and Plug Current limitation

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mbrooke

mbrooke

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Why does the NEC limit cord and plug connected equipment to 80% of the receptacle's/cord cap rating? Is there anyway to legally draw 100%?
 
mbrooke said:
Why does the NEC limit cord and plug connected equipment to 80% of the receptacle's/cord cap rating? Is there anyway to legally draw 100%?
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(1) Not sure, but the requirement only applies to branch circuits supplying two or more outlets, (2014) 210.21(B)(2). They want to leave 20% for other hardwired loads? E.g. mixing lighting and receptacles?
(2) Run an individual branch circuit that supplies just one receptacle.

Cheers, Wayne
 
He's referring to 210.21(B)(2) which is a stupid code section / Table anyways. What the end user does after the CO can not be controlled by an AHJ or inspector.

Roger
 
roger said:
He's referring to 210.21(B)(2) which is a stupid code section / Table anyways. What the end user does after the CO can not be controlled by an AHJ or inspector.

Roger
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I wasn't sure if he was referring to a circuit with 2 or more receptacles or a single receptacle. The OP seems to be focusing on the cord.
 
In what way is it any different than saying you have an 80% rated breaker?

I don't have a code book but does it differentiate between continuous and non-continuous cord connected loads?
 
There's also 210.23(A)(1) which limits cord-and-plug connected equipment not fastened in place to 80% of the branch circuit rating for multi-receptacle branch circuits. So e.g. if you had two refrigerators side by side, and they are the typical roll-out kind and aren't considered fastened in place, and each one is rated 7A, 210.23(A)(1) would not allow a 15A circuit for them. Fasten one refrigerator in place, and now the installation is fine on a 15A circuit. Seems a bit arbitrary.

Cheers, Wayne
 
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