MC Cable Strapping

[william lich]

Question:

On an industrial site our electrican used a air line to drop 12-3 MC from the steel to a fixture on a machine. The plant said it was ok and the local inspector passed the job. Now the plant says this is a code violation and wants it changed. They have used artical 300-11 to enforce there actions.
This artical only talks about ceiling tie wire.I have looked for other articals that would prohibit this strapping method. Can you show me where this method of strapping is prohibited in the code.

Thanks,

Bill

 

[e57]

300.11(C) Cables Not Used as Means of Support. Cable wiring methods shall not be used as a means of support for other cables, raceways, or nonelectrical equipment.

As they are attached to eachother - which is supporting which? Either way, I would not see that as a viable support method. One system supporting the other.... Try a 3/8 all-thread, and tie wire your cable to that...

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

As they are attached to eachother - which is supporting which? Either way, I would not see that as a viable support method. One system supporting the other.... Try a 3/8 all-thread, and tie wire your cable to that...

The way i read this is there air line is in violation not the mc.But i agree its not a good install.

 

[Dave58er]

Is the air line pipe or rubber?

Maybe you could try this:

Run solid double strut from the floor to the steel. Mount a 4 square near the steel and run your mc into it. Come out of the back of the box into the strut and down to another box where you put your plug or tie in your whip to the machine. Slap on some strut cover and your done.

In my experience the air line is hard pipe and gets attached to the outside of the strut with minnies.

A big advantage of this setup is later when (not if :wink they decide they want to remove or add 480, 120, or whatever at that location on the plant floor you've already got a raceway down.

 

[mdshunk]

IF that MC cable was somehow supporting the air line, then you'd have an issue. If the air line was self supporting or otherwise supported before the installation of the MC cable, then there's no special issue.