Fire Alarm Panel Primary Power Obtained From Plug Into Recepticle Outlet

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rkeough

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Macau SAR, China
Some background is necessary. The fire alarm installation in question is located overseas. Local power is 220VAC/60Hz. Contractor installed a panel that is listed for 120VAC/60 Hz - 240VAC/50Hz. Contractor decided that the best way to provide stable primary power that was to install a voltage regulator between the primary power disconnect and fire alarm panel. Problem is the voltage regulator has a receptacle outlet, and was not made to for a direct, hardwire connection. The contractor wants to connect the fire alarm panel to the voltage regulator with a Type "SO" cord with 120V, 20A male plug. Basically, he is plugging the fire alarm panel into the voltage regulator. Everything is in conduit and the voltage regulator is installed within a vented enclosure to guard against accidental disconnects and unauthorized use of the regulator for other purposes. Everything else appears code compliant; dedicated branch circuit, listed breaker locking device, everything in conduit, etc. But, this plug thing does not pass my smell test. Is this compliant? I cannot find anything that says this "plug in" approach is not NEC 70 or NFPA 72 compliant under recent editions, but then again my core competency is not the electrical code. Am I missing something? Or is this OK, just weird.
 
Violation of 400.7.

Seems the equipment is rated for the supply, but rating is a bit weird. In my mind, it is typically written 120-240V 50/60Hz. I seriously doubt 50Hz is required for a 240V connection... and the panel's internal power supply likely has its own voltage regulator(s).
 
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The NEC does not require a "hard" connection to the fire alarm panel, otherwise a lot of Honeywell panels would be non-compliant. You would have to go to the manufacturer to find out if this arrangement is acceptable.

I agree with Smart $, it seems the extra voltage regulation is "gilding the lily", unless local power is truly crappy.
 
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