I'm bidding a project that calls for the supply and installation of 30 'stand-alone systems'
They mount on the exterior of buildings or on utility poles at least 15' feet above grade, probably higher to increase range and reduce vandalism.
These are video cameras with recorders and wireless interfaces
The stand alone systems are comprised of a few computer appliances bundled together Typically this class of appliance use low current line voltage which is stepped down and regulated by exterior wart type power supplies before plugging into the actual appliances. Sometimes these appliances have modular line cords. I do not know exactly which is the case yet in this application.
When I got to the following line in the bid spec, I snapped to attention, because this requirement does not sound like it is consistent with the Electrical Code.
I. Each enclosure/?stand-alone? system shall operate on 110vac and will have thirty feet of the appropriate line supplied.
Usually, if we are involved with installations using plug equipped appliances, we plug them in. If we're dealing with hard-wired equipment, we call an electrician; have him map the electrical system, measure the load on the branch circuit, tag the breaker, and if necessary develop a new branch circuit and install the required hardware. Then perform the final connections.
But in this case, intuitively it seems to me that the means of anchoring 30 feet of extension cord to an exterior surface would be contrary to code and not permitted. Also how the plug would attach to the receptacle.
An alternative would be to limit the length of the line cord to whatever is allowed; connect the line cord to a NEMA enclosure, then bring current limited low voltage feeds out of the enclosure the required distance to the 'standalone systems'.
Please! comments and suggestions
They mount on the exterior of buildings or on utility poles at least 15' feet above grade, probably higher to increase range and reduce vandalism.
These are video cameras with recorders and wireless interfaces
The stand alone systems are comprised of a few computer appliances bundled together Typically this class of appliance use low current line voltage which is stepped down and regulated by exterior wart type power supplies before plugging into the actual appliances. Sometimes these appliances have modular line cords. I do not know exactly which is the case yet in this application.
When I got to the following line in the bid spec, I snapped to attention, because this requirement does not sound like it is consistent with the Electrical Code.
I. Each enclosure/?stand-alone? system shall operate on 110vac and will have thirty feet of the appropriate line supplied.
Usually, if we are involved with installations using plug equipped appliances, we plug them in. If we're dealing with hard-wired equipment, we call an electrician; have him map the electrical system, measure the load on the branch circuit, tag the breaker, and if necessary develop a new branch circuit and install the required hardware. Then perform the final connections.
But in this case, intuitively it seems to me that the means of anchoring 30 feet of extension cord to an exterior surface would be contrary to code and not permitted. Also how the plug would attach to the receptacle.
An alternative would be to limit the length of the line cord to whatever is allowed; connect the line cord to a NEMA enclosure, then bring current limited low voltage feeds out of the enclosure the required distance to the 'standalone systems'.
Please! comments and suggestions
