Article 400 "Cords" indicates flexible cords cannot be installed above suspended ceilings [with exceptions], however does this inlcude low voltage cabling from a power supply? for example where I have some data equipment attached to the ceiling grid the plans indicate a receptacle above the ceiling for the installation of the low voltage power supply [120V-12V] the cord then plugs into the data device. The flexible cord in question is a low voltage cable from the power supply [plugged into the outlet] to the data device [router / wirless access point non-poe] is this cable classified as a "flexible cable", does the NEC still apply at this voltage level?
Flexible Cords above Ceilings?
- Thread starter Mike01
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http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=145420&highlight=cords+above+ceiling
Change maybe coming : 2014 ROP draft.
400.7(A)
(9) Connection of accessory equipment associated with
mechanical equipment, alarms, or antennas using a
listed non-detachable power supply cord 1.83 m (6 ft)
or less above an accessible suspended or dropped ceiling
where not prohibited by 300.22. [ROP 6–103]
Change maybe coming : 2014 ROP draft.
400.7(A)
(9) Connection of accessory equipment associated with
mechanical equipment, alarms, or antennas using a
listed non-detachable power supply cord 1.83 m (6 ft)
or less above an accessible suspended or dropped ceiling
where not prohibited by 300.22. [ROP 6–103]
Last edited:
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
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- Retired PV System Designer
If the wall wart power supply is a Class 2 limited power supply, will that make a difference? My problem would be more with placing the receptacle outlet for the wall wart above the ceiling. Although that seems to be covered in jusme123's thread reference. If the wall wart is plugged directly into the receptacle outlet, there is no flexible cord carrying line voltage above the ceiling.
The ROP section refers to a non-detachable power supply cord. I would expect that the output of the wall wart is detachable from from the router, so it would not apply. And it seems to be intended to allow a line-voltage cord permanently attached to a device with an internal power supply. Or the power supply itself as a separate item. (power brick rather than wall wart? The power cord in that case would have to be non-detachable, unlike most computer power bricks.)
- Location
- Massachusetts
I doubt you have a cord on the LV side that Article 400 applies to. See the table in 400 to see what cords it applies to.
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