Extension Cord GFCI

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wa5yom

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Our Safety Director walked by one of the EE's offices today and pointed to a Extension cord that was powering a Computer type monitor.
He said that the cord was considered permanent and that it was a violation of the NEC.
It requires a cord with built in GFCI.
Where is this in the Code?

Thanks,
Tim
 
Re: Extension Cord GFCI

If the location is on a construction site under Art,527.6 it would be required to be GFCI protected but unless it is an OSHA requirement I'm not sure why it would need to be in the cord.
 
Re: Extension Cord GFCI

If it is considered permanent, then it is a violation of 400.7 and 400.8(1) - GFCI or not!

Steve
 
Re: Extension Cord GFCI

I'm not trying to disagree with you Steve,

but, (I'm sure you didn't anticipate that :D )

First I don't think 407 matters, but I'm really interested in 408.(1).

I can see it being argued either way.

I prefer to think an extension cord isn't automatically a building wiring substitute.

This is one I'd like to see a formal interpretation on.
 
Re: Extension Cord GFCI

Let me throw in an item that I think would clearly be a violation of 408(1).

An extension cord used in an attempt to satify 210.52(A)(1) at a particular loction along a wall.
 
Re: Extension Cord GFCI

Originally posted by benaround:
Would that mean that all those "power strips" are also violations?

frank
Click to expand...
Sometimes yes. ;)

Those power stips are listed as power taps.


2004 UL General Directory
RELOCATABLE POWER TAPS
(XBYS)
USE AND INSTALLATION
This category covers relocatable power taps rated 250 V ac or less, 20 A or less. They are intended for indoor use as relocatable multiple outlet extensions of a single branch circuit to supply laboratory equipment, home workshops, home movie lighting controls, musical instrumentation, and to provide outlet receptacles for computers, audio and video equipment, and other equipment. They consist of one attachment plug and a single length of flexible cord terminated in a single enclosure in which one or more receptacles are mounted. They may, in addition, be provided with fuses or other supplementary overcurrent protection, switches, suppression components and/or indicator lights in any combination, or connections for cable, communications, telephone and/or antenna.

Relocatable power taps are intended to be directly connected to a permanently installed branch circuit receptacle. Relocatable power taps are not intended to be series connected (daisy chained) to other relocatable power taps or to extension cords.

Relocatable power taps are not intended for use at construction sites and similar locations.

Relocatable power taps are not intended to be permanently secured to building structures, tables, work benches or similar structures, nor are they intended to be used as a substitute for fixed wiring. The cords of relocatable power taps are not intended to be routed through walls, windows, ceilings, floors or similar openings.

Relocatable power taps have not been investigated and are not intended for use with general patient care areas or critical patient care areas of health care facilities as defined in Article 517 of ANSI/NFPA 70, ??National Electrical Code?? (NEC).

Component power taps may be factory installed on relocatable equipment intended for use in general patient care areas or critical patient care areas as defined in the NEC. They are intended to comply with 60601-1, ??Medical Electrical Equipment, Part 1: General Requirements,?? and 60601-1-1, ??Safety Requirements for Medical Electrical Systems.?? Refer to Medical Equipment (PIDF).
Click to expand...
 
Re: Extension Cord GFCI

Iwire,

Thanks for that volume of info,it never ceasees to amaze me how many things I don't know. Relocatable Power Taps !!

frank
 
Re: Extension Cord GFCI

Would an office trailer at a construction site be considered part of the construction site, or part of the the companys office, then exempt from the construction site UL reference?

That is if this trailer was only office and office personel and not part storage and feild personel.

Tim
 
Re: Extension Cord GFCI

I think (NEC-2002 527.6) defines the need for GFCI pretty well.

I don't think someone sitting at a computer is actively doing "construction, remodeling, maintenance, repair, or demolition of buildings, structures, equipment, or similar activities."

I have sometimes felt the need to swing a hammer at a computer, but I don't think that computer needs to be plugged into a GFCI. :D

The permanent wiring of a job-trailer is the permanent wiring of a trailer. The trailers on a construction site, so what? Half the houses in a subdivision are in the middle of a construction site (poor schmucks), are their houses temporary too? :p
 
Re: Extension Cord GFCI

Well, we area manufacturing facility; the office in question is in the Administration building.
The monitor is a self contained computer type device typically installed in the plant within a Nema 12 cabinet.
It is currently on a "roll around" table plugged in to the extension cord and being used for software developement. It will eventually be installed on the machine. Will the extension cord still be in the office afterwards?..Who knows, but my guess is it will remain.
It appears that the GFCI rule for cords applies to construction sites...Correct?
So, the GFCI is not a requirement in this case.
The real issue appears to be whether it is considered permanent or not.
It seems to me that this could easily be argued either way.
So, just for argument purposes...don't we all use extension cords in a permanent fashion? Otherwise, why have it...if the outlet was close enought, or in enough quantities, we wouldn't need the extension cord in the first place.
I can appreciate the needs on construction sites, the conditions are much different than in an office environment.
So, how do we interpret "permanent"?
My response to the Safety director is..It isn't permanent so he will have to prove differently.
Any comments?
Am I missing something?
 
Re: Extension Cord GFCI

Physics:

I have to agree with everything you said (great minds think alike :D ). But if the extension cord is permanent, then I think it is a substitute for the fixed wiring.

After reading the last post, it seems obvious that the extension cord is not permanent.

I'm still not sure what to think about the "re locatable power taps". After all, aren't they permanent?
 
Re: Extension Cord GFCI

By wa5yom:

My response to the Safety director is..It isn't permanent so he will have to prove differently.
Click to expand...
I agree for a couple reasons.

Your safty guy could stand a little more code exposure. (Not that a lot of couldn't also). Your disagreement 'll provide a handy opertunity.

And, the cord wont be permanet until you're finished with your monitor. (I'm guessing that's when it will become permanent by virtue of it's still being there. :D )

I personally don't understand all the hubbabalu over extension cords. I don't think they should be used all willie nillie everywhere, but it seems like anywhere one is used there is someone to say it shouldn't be.

I agree that there are applications where extension cords shouldn't be used. But not every application.

Edit:

By Steve:

I'm still not sure what to think about the "re locatable power taps". After all, aren't they permanent?
Click to expand...
Yeah. Aren't those multioutlet assy's? Why all the different terminology? Relocateable power taps? And don't they have to be secured, making them "permanent"? :confused:

[ June 02, 2005, 03:18 PM: Message edited by: physis ]
 
Re: Extension Cord GFCI

Well, it seems that all I need is a Multi outlet re locatable power tap instead of an extension cord.
The Engineering office could be considered a Laboratory, which apparently can have re locatable power taps.
Right?

Tim
 
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