Flexible cords under a raised floor

[steve66]

Refering to the link someone posted for another thread:

http://ecmweb.com/nec/code-basics/flexible-cords-cables-fixture-wire-20100601/

I've always wondered about the graphic that shows a cord below a raised floor as being allowed:

Does anyone agree or disagree with this? When I read 400.8 (2) , it doesn't look like it is allowed.

And I've had at least one vendor (who sold floor boxes for raised floors) claim this isn't allowed. (Not that I've believed him.)

I wonder if this application might be limited to a data center application??

 

[cowboyjwc]

From what I read I would have to agree that it's not allowed.

I don't see anything that makes an exception for computer room floors. If there was an exception for that, then you could justify that a cord above a suspended ceiling should be allowed too.

 

[cowboyjwc]

OK just found this in the Handbook:

A reference to the provisions of 645.5 that allow the use of cords as data processing cables has been deleted from 400.7 in the 2005 NEC. In accordance with 90.3, the structure of the code permits requirements in Chapters 5, 6, and 7 to ammend or modify requirements in Chapters 1 through 4. In this particular case, 645.5 modifies 400.7 with specific provisions for the use of flexible cord in the space beneath the raised floor of an information technology equipment room.

Hope that helps.