industrial cord drops

[yammo]

Having spent my career in industrial establishments, I feel that the use of cord drops to feed equipment is very safe and practical. Many times in small
establishments that do not employ an electrician I have seen machines get
"bumped" by fork trucks. The machines get straightened out but never the pipe feeding them. With a properly installed cord drop, this can be avoided.
Also, if a machine has a disconnect, why should there be a need for these drops to have cord caps? I would like to hear comments on this issue.:-?
Yammo

 

[muskiedog]

Cords can be used for this purpose

Cords can be used for this purpose

I used cord drops for printing equipment all the time just incase of movement. It is amazing how much damage can occur from forklift traffic. I have seen gas heaters ripped of the ceiling, water fountains torn off the walls. Had three go off the loading dock, wish I could find my photos, cinder block walls moved, etc...

 

[Geoffrey Lyons]

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What is the cord cap ? Sorry I have been doing most of my installs in my present employment (10yrs) have'nt heard that term yet. 90% of are machines are cord drops with skie tie saddles,springs and liquid tight cord grips feel they are safer and make for less waste when moving to different locations.

 

[yammo]

industrial cord drops

The cord caps are the plug & connector.

 

[iwire]

In general you can not hard wire cord, most applications of cord require cord connectors.

Take a look at 400.7, 400.8 and specifically 400.7(B)

 

[Geoffrey Lyons]

little confused

little confused

still trying to get hang of NEC...400.7(B) exception as permitted in 368.56 3658.56(B) (1) (2) (3) (4) wouldnt my install fall under these ? I am coming off buss plug and using SO cable

 

[yammo]

You're absolutely correct Bob. I'm wondering if it's time to have a change on this ruling. If the utilization equipment is not going to be frequently interchanged, cord connectors are an unnecessary expense.

 

[dlhoule]

still trying to get hang of NEC...400.7(B) exception as permitted in 368.56 3658.56(B) (1) (2) (3) (4) wouldnt my install fall under these ? I am coming off buss plug and using SO cable

IMO it is both legal and a pretty good method. In the '05 Handbook (pg 407 exhibits 368.2 and 368.3) show a cable installed according to the 368.56(B)(2) exception. If 400.7(B) were applying these would not be an approved method.

 

[dlhoule]

Change?

Change?

You're absolutely correct Bob. I'm wondering if it's time to have a change on this ruling. If the utilization equipment is not going to be frequently interchanged, cord connectors are an unnecessary expense.

What change do you feel is necessary? If you are coming off a bussway in an approved manner you do not need an attachment plug and IMO if you choose to use one it should be one rated for disconnecting purposes.