Large Cable and Plugs on Machines

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mmiller

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When is it allowed to use something like SO cable on a piece of equipment.

Looking at hooking up injection molding machines with a large cord and possiblt a Meltric type Plug/Disconnect unit.

Also second question;

How close does a main disconnect have to be to a machine ?

Is it line of site from the operator control ?

A circuit breaker is an acceptable diconnect ?

also curious about overhead buss type systems ?

we have about 50 machines and 100 pieces of auxillary to hookup, if we do move.

We might be moving our plant and I want to fix all the problems that aren't right with out current setup.

I ask about the Cords becasuse I'm constantly moving machines around (my boss is a lady) she tells me its like women and their furniture. She's actually great to work for.

Mike
 
The cord /plug is your disconnect.However your likely going to need a permit to install the new system and that will take an EC .Cord drops are normal in factories.
 
Safety First

Safety First

The NEC covers the SUPPLY conductors to the machine. This is in place to ensure supply conductors are adequate.

OSHA covers the "Working Envinronment". The Employer is ultimately responsible for workplace safety.

OSHA says that the employer is held to "Consensus Standards". Beyond the NEC you need to look at NFPA70E, NFPA79, and ANSI B151.1-2007 Saftey for Horizontal Injection Molding Machines.
 
Per NFPA 79:

NFPA79_5-3-3-2.jpg
 
mmiller said:
I ask about the Cords becasuse I'm constantly moving machines around (my boss is a lady) she tells me its like women and their furniture. She's actually great to work for.

Mike
Click to expand...

Mike if you don't use your real name it's safe to say what you really think. :grin: :grin:
 
Use Permitted

Use Permitted

400.7 gives the situations where a flexible cord is able to be used in place of hard wiring. In your case, since you have frequent moves, I would argue that part (6) Connection of utilization equipment to facilitate frequent interchange would be relevant.

As a side note, the Meltric plugs and receptacles you are looking at meet all the requirements of the NPFA 79 section 5.3.3.2 that was posted by dbaird.
 
mmiller said:
When is it allowed to use something like SO cable on a piece of equipment.

Looking at hooking up injection molding machines with a large cord and possiblt a Meltric type Plug/Disconnect unit.
Click to expand...

Any properly sized receptacle/plug combo will facilitate the disconnect. Unless you do not have individual branch OCPD device that is also the means of disconnect, the plug does not need to be switch rated.

mmiller said:
Also second question;

How close does a main disconnect have to be to a machine ?

Is it line of site from the operator control ?
Click to expand...

If you have individual means of disconnect, such as panelboards, that are lockable the means of disconnect do not have to be within sight of the machine.

mmiller said:
A circuit breaker is an acceptable diconnect ?
Click to expand...

Yes.

mmiller said:
also curious about overhead buss type systems ?

we have about 50 machines and 100 pieces of auxillary to hookup, if we do move.

We might be moving our plant and I want to fix all the problems that aren't right with out current setup.

I ask about the Cords becasuse I'm constantly moving machines around (my boss is a lady) she tells me its like women and their furniture. She's actually great to work for.

Mike
Click to expand...

I think you will find the bus systems fairly expensive and I imagine that the copper prices rise did not help matters. You may find a cable tray system be flexible enough for the task to be accomplished.
 
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