Manufactured wiring Systems

[harrycii]

I am a rep for a manufactured wiring system company. We sell a system that supplies power under a access floor in a office space. We supply the home run cables from the panel to a distribution box that has up a 7 out ports that feed a access floor box with up to 4 duplex outlets. This system is UL approved for this use . It is all encase in a flexible conduit with a ten pin connector. We do the engineering an installation drawings and follow through with a site visit to the installing contractor to explain how to install it. We lay this under the access floor directly on the slab bellow the floor without strapping this to the floor making it fully modular. We sell this by being less expensive and easy to move around for a rapid change environment (flexibility). My question is in Northern Kentucky we have an inspector that wants this modular system strapped to the slab. In the 4 years I have sold this product all over the US I have never had this requirement. I know he has the final say being the AHJ but I want to know his reasoning. I am to talk with him today to see if he will change his mind. Your code Interpretations or thoughts would be appreciated

Harry Tiedemann
115 Lane 100a Pine Canyon Lake
Angola, Indiana 46703
Phone 260-833-2238
Fax 260-833-8588
Cell 260-410-2258
Welcome to CII

 

[charlie]

Re: Manufactured wiring Systems

Assuming your terminology is correct, the inspector is correct. Article 604 covers Manufactured Wiring Systems and 604.6(E) states "manufactured wiring systems shall be supported in accordance whit the applicable cable or conduit article for the cable or conduit type employed." I am not familiar with this product but if you are using cable or conduit, it would have to be supported (and it is) and secured (and it is not).

I am guessing that the instructions that come with the system require the securing of the cable. Additionally, UL doesn't approve anything; they list your product for use within the perimeters of the manufacturer's instructions and the NEC.

 

[harrycii]

Re: Manufactured wiring Systems

Charlie Thanks for your response. I have read the code and in section 604.6E talks about support not securing it refers you back to the conduit system we use. which in our case is flexible metal conduit section 348.30. The key word in section 604.6E is support it does not say secure.In our UL listing it says it must be supported not secured. Our connectors are tested to with stand a 150 lbs of pull. Your thoughts?

 

[charlie]

Re: Manufactured wiring Systems

It is my understanding that this is a computer room.

Article 645 covers IT Equipment and 645.2 (1) through (5) must be met in order for it to be called an IT Equipment Room. 645.5(D) seems to cover your installation and IT Rooms are outside my expertise. Is your wiring method listed for use with IT Rooms?

Assuming the manufactured wiring system is listed for its intended use, 645.5(D)(1) requires that 300.11 be followed for the installation of the supply conductors. 300.11 requires the ?raceways, cable assemblies, boxes, cabinets, and fitting to be securely fastened in place.

I am a utility person and do not have a lot of expertise in this area so I am looking for more input. I am interested in knowing if I am totally off base.

 

[harrycii]

Re: Manufactured wiring Systems

This is not a computer room I was comparing it to the underfloor of a computer room that cables are not secured in place. This is a office space

 

[caj1962]

Re: Manufactured wiring Systems

I am in agreement with Charlie on his first post. Article 348 not only states supports but also secured
348.30 Securing and Supporting.
FMC shall be securely fastened in place and supported in accordance with 348.30(A) and (B).
(A) Securely Fastened. FMC shall be securely fastened in place by an approved means within 300 mm (12 in.) of each box, cabinet, conduit body, or other conduit termination and shall be supported and secured at intervals not to exceed 1.4 m (4? ft).
Exception No. 1: Where FMC is fished.
Exception No. 2: Lengths not exceeding 900 mm (3 ft) at terminals where flexibility is required.
Exception No. 3: Lengths not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft) from a luminaire (fixture) terminal connection for tap connections to luminaires (light fixtures) as permitted in 410.67(C).
(B) Supports. Horizontal runs of flexible metal conduit FMC supported by openings through framing members at intervals not greater than 1.4 m (4? ft) and securely fastened within 300 mm (12 in.) of termination points shall be permitted.

I have ran into these quite often an some of the instalations were lacking in professional standards. The cables were ran in all directions and the boxes were not secured at all.

I am not saying you install your assemblies in this fashion, but it has happened.

 

[harrycii]

Re: Manufactured wiring Systems

Thank you both for your input. That is the inspectors reasoning....But I feel if the intent of artical 604.6E was to secure it would have been support and secure it specificaly says support. As a refrence I looked up ITE rooms which also uses raised floors in artical645.5E specifically says cables do not have to be fastened in place. The intent of this artical is to allow movement of cables without disruption cables. So I guess writing to the code panel for the future code book clarification.