FMC in wet or Damp locations.

[iwire]

I need some help here, I wired a 10 door walk in cooler and all the equipment I installed was rated for wet locations which in this area is standard practice.

The problem is all the factory wiring inside the cooler for door heaters and lighting is in 1/2" FMC.

The inspector wants to fail this as he considers it a wet location and FMC is not suitable for that use.

Apparently he does not know about 348.12(1)

348.12 Uses Not Permitted.
FMC shall not be used in the following:
(1)In wet locations unless the conductors are approved for the specific conditions and the installation is such that liquid is not likely to enter raceways or enclosures to which the conduit is connected

My main question is what do you all do inside a walk in cooler or freezer, do you consider it a dry, damp or wet location?

[ December 11, 2003, 06:49 PM: Message edited by: iwire ]

 

[tonyi]

Re: FMC in wet or Damp locations.

Liquidtight might have been a better choice for hose down cleaning...however...

Was the cooler and its internal factory wiring a UL listed assembly? This may be your way out if it was. An inspector can't say much about the internal wiring of an approved UL listed assembly.

 

[russ]

Re: FMC in wet or Damp locations.

This installation sounds exceptable for NEC.

By me it would have to be in metal conduit (EMT, IMC, RMC).

I usually look at a listing, as a reason to be able to except something that I don't know much about, or can't judge as exceptable on my own. In other words I take the testing labs word for it.
That doesn't mean I have to, if a product doesn't meet code for my area.

[ December 11, 2003, 09:14 PM: Message edited by: russ ]

 

[iwire]

Re: FMC in wet or Damp locations.

Thanks for the replies so far.

I do want to say that this inspector is just trying to do his job.

I think the FMC is a cheesy choice by the manufacturer, but I am stuck with it.

I need to get this place open and I may print out the section that says FMC OK in wet locations and try to nicely hand it to him.

 

[ryan_618]

Re: FMC in wet or Damp locations.

Bob: I wouldn't be too excited about it, but I wouldn't red tag it. I think if you politely show your inspector your code reference AND explain to him that you think it sucks but it wasn't your choice, you should be okay.

 

[hurk27]

Re: FMC in wet or Damp locations.

By Russ: By me it would have to be in metal conduit (EMT, IMC, RMC).

I don't think the doors would open very easy using a non-flexable race-way LOL

 

[russ]

Re: FMC in wet or Damp locations.

hurk: You have a point I didn't think about! There are doors with defrosters in them, to keep the windows from fogging up. FMC would be OK with me.

[ December 12, 2003, 07:10 AM: Message edited by: russ ]

 

[pierre]

Re: FMC in wet or Damp locations.

Bob
If it is factory wiring (manufacturer) and the unit(s) are listed, why don't you show him the listing label and make sure he understands you did not wire that, but it is from the factory.

As any inspector would point out though, they 'approve' the installation/equipment.
I guess that could put you in a sticky situation if he decides not to approve the equipment. Maybe a letter from the manufacturer would help.

Pierre

 

[electricmanscott]

Re: FMC in wet or Damp locations.

Now you have me poking my head in coolers! Found one today with all wiring in emt and fmc. Standard 4" square boxes and set screw fittings. I don't see a problem with this. It certainly is not damp in there. Cold yes but wet no.

 

[iwire]

Re: FMC in wet or Damp locations.

Originally posted by hurk27:
I don't think the doors would open very easy using a non-flexable race-way LOL

LOL

As it happens the wiring from the door jamb to the door it self is well hidden in the hinge.

But the factory left a 1/2" FMC whip hanging out of the door jamb to power the heaters in the door jamb and the door.

It looks rather odd as I used a weather proof box to pick up these FMCs.

In the weather proof box is a disconnect switch and it leaves there in LFMC. up through the top of the chest.

I / we have always used weather proof methods in coolers.

We have done some big ones, 500,000 sq ft and more.

Scott you would see one of these on the way to NH on the right of 128 N at the 95, 93 split in Peabody, large white building with no windows.

The one I am doing is just a 7-11 in Providence RI.

 

[big john]

Re: FMC in wet or Damp locations.

If these are closed coolers, do they have condensate pans underneith the chiller coils? If that's the case these things could work like a house-hold AC system in that they also help dehumidify the air they cool.

Maybe it would work out that the inside of one of these coolers would tend to be drier the the ambient air in the store. Might explain the use of flex in such a condition, and might also negate the need for WP equipment...

Just a thought.

-John