Drop cords

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jester

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Just a quick question?

My company just gotten thumped with an O.S.H.A. violation concerning our drop cords. The facility is primarily a manufacturing unit and has various drop cords in use to power the various work benches and mobile equipment. These drop cords have been in use for over 20 yrs and have never been at issue in previous inspections. All drop cords have strain relief top and bottom. Each drop is 110V/15A with its own dedicated breaker. Wired with 12/4 SO (black =hot, white=neutral, green=ground to outlets, orange=ground to 4x4 gang box). All cords are in good working order and have no signs of wear or tear. When not in use cords are coiled up and suspended to ceiling so as to not pose a possible head or trip injury. Everyone (electrical contractors) I have talked to so far say i just got a bored inspector. Any thoughts???
He also quoted the violation as a NEC 314.23(h)(1).

Thanks for any help you can give
 
Re: Drop cords

Did you look at the code referenced?

My guess is the boxes you are using do not have threaded entries as required by 314.23(h)(1).
 
Re: Drop cords

Nope, strain reliefs are threaded into each box. Everything that I can possibly think of has been covered by the book (NEC2002) as near as I can tell. I am thinking I should maybe appeal the notice and fines.
 
Re: Drop cords

What are you using for a box? OSHA does not permit the use of standard boxes. The boxes must be listed for "portable" use.
Don
 
Re: Drop cords

jester,
Exactly what box are you using. Just because it has a threaded hub does not make it suitable for portable applications.
Look at this from an OSHA document.
2. The cord set must meet all applicable requirements of 1910 Subpart S and 1926 Subpart K. For example, the assembly must be marked appropriately (1910.303(e)) and (1926.405(g)(2)(iv)); boxing intended for use in a permanent installation may not be used (1910.303(b)(1)(i) and 1926.403(b)(1)(i)); cords must be connected to devices and fittings so as to provide strain relief (1910.305(g)(2) (iii) and 1926.405(g)(2)(iv)); cords passing through holes in enclosures must be protected by bushings or fittings designed for the purpose (1926.405(g)(2)(v)- fittings designed to fasten cables to metal boxes are not acceptable); and no grounded conductor shall be attached to any terminal or lead so as to reverse designated polarity (1910.304(a)(2)) and (1926.404(a)(2)).
Click to expand...
1910.303(b)(1)(i)
Suitability for installation and use in conformity with the provisions of this subpart. Suitability of equipment for an identified purpose may be evidenced by listing or labeling for that identified purpose.
Click to expand...
Don
 
Re: Drop cords

Ok, thats kind of what I needed to know. The boxes in use do not specifically state that they are intended for that particular use.

Thanks a bunch!
 
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