Flexible cord ampacity

[Electric Clint]

I have a customer that wants us to install an under cabinet lighting module(Ikea) that includes LED lights a standard 120v outlet that are all daisy chained together off the power module. The power module appears to be intended for hard wire and includes a 14/2 W/G flexible cord (SJT 14AWGX3C 105C VW-1 300V). They want it wired to a 20amp circuit with 12/2 romex and a 20 amp breaker. 400.5 Flexible cord ampacity in the 2014 NEC seems to indicate the best I can squeeze out of this cord is 18 amps. But then is it considered fixture wiring attached to a branch circuit? My eyes are glazed over from the NEC. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Are you saying that the power module has a cord and plug? If so then that is not an issue as the module will limit the load on the cord anyway. Many appliances have a 14 awg cord and plug into a 20 amp circuirt

 

[Electric Clint]

The power module has a flexible cord with bare wire ends. It comes with a metal cover plate with rubber pass through for a metal box so I assume it is to be hard wired to the romex in a jbox.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

The power module has a flexible cord with bare wire ends. It comes with a metal cover plate with rubber pass through for a metal box so I assume it is to be hard wired to the romex in a jbox.

Yes I have seen that with other equipment. Again it is not an issue as long as the product is listed. Not sure how it is listed as it appears the cord would violate 400.8.

All that aside a wire rated 18 amps can still be used with a 20 amp overcurrent protective device as long as the load is not more than 18 amps. art. 240.5

(B) Overcurrent Devices Rated 800 Amperes or Less.
The next higher standard overcurrent device rating (above
the ampacity of the conductors being protected) shall be
permitted to be used, provided all of the following conditions
are met: