I am trying to defend 440.8 and art 590 on a issue and I want to make sure I'm correct. A piece of extreemly large conveyor equipment in located in a commercial building. Underneath the equipment is crawl access for maintenance via a rolling chair to set on and cruise underneath for repairs. For lighting the owner has installed temporary construction light strings connected via light duty extension cords which are ty-rap'd along the equipment to reach an convienence outlet aprox. 75ft away. Now I know that 400.8 addresses the cords, and article 590 addresses the lighting. But, as for the cords, they are not connected to the building, only the equipment. Any comments on the cords or the lights would be apreciated. Also in other parts of the facility they connect water fountains and the like with extension cords again ty-rap'd to racking not the building. I know I dont like it, but I'm think I'm in for a fight. Thanks Mule
Extension cords and temp lighting attached to equipment
- Thread starter Mule
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Logan, Utah
Take a look at 400.8(1) It appears to me that they are substituting an extention cord for the fixed wiring of the structure for the water fountains.
As far as the construction light strings I would say the same section would apply if the lighting that is installed under the equipment is not temporary then 400.8(1) could apply.
Chris
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
If you strip away the words in 590.3(A) that do not apply to your situation, what is left is that you are allowed to use temporary lighting ?during the period of . . . maintenance . . . of . . . equipment. . . .? I see no problem with having that temporary lighting attached to the equipment with ty-wraps. However, 590.3(D) requires that the temporary lighting be removed after the maintenance is completed, and 590.3(B) restricts its use to 90 days. I conclude that the NEC prohibits what the company is doing.
But what options are there for resolving this situation? What, specifically, would you suggest be done instead? Does the equipment?s configuration allow for conduit (or other permanent and allowable wiring method) to be attached? Is there a way to bring in a hard-wired power source for the lights?
As to the water fountains, I agree with Chris. The solution to this one, however, is easier to spot. All they need to do is to install permanent receptacle outlets close to the fountains.
But what options are there for resolving this situation? What, specifically, would you suggest be done instead? Does the equipment?s configuration allow for conduit (or other permanent and allowable wiring method) to be attached? Is there a way to bring in a hard-wired power source for the lights?
As to the water fountains, I agree with Chris. The solution to this one, however, is easier to spot. All they need to do is to install permanent receptacle outlets close to the fountains.
Yes there is plenty of room for conduit, as the whole facility is wired in conduit including this piece of equipment.... but I think they are just trying a conveinent way to put up 75ft of lighting, only trouble is they just started,as they have around a half dozen of simular lighting installations to go, and I just caught it and said something. And naturally the cost savings as well. I just wanted to see if I was on the right page, and appartently I am. With out exposing the owner, I just needed some help. We'll see how they react.....Thanks
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