Mounting of receptacales under raised floor?

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awg

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I work in a large data center and we have received some new cabinets that require 8 circuits. This has created somewhat of a nightmare under the raised floor, especially where there are several of these cabinets side by side. We proposed to mount the receptacles with mineralacs to keep the area in an orderly fashion and prevent the possibility of disconnection. We have been advised that the code considers the use of long flexible whips as temporary (in our case plenum rated seal-tite layed on the floor). And that this is allowed even for extended periods of time, but once you mount the receptacles ie; on pedestals or racks the installation is considered permanent and the use of flexible whips would not be allowed. Any thoughts or information on this type of installation would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
awg
 
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Flexible metallic conduit is permitted providing that it is supported and secured as outlined in 348.30. The NEC does not consider this type of installation to be temporary what ever that means. The boxes must also be securely mounted. As Ron mentioned, rooms that fall under the requirements of Article 645 can use flexible wiring methods such as flexible cords with attachment plugs not exceeding 15' in length.
 
Are we talking about the circuit or the cord cap set from the equipment? First AWG let me say that my experience as compaired to Ron's or Trevor's is minimal. And I hope they correct me where needed. But I work in a large data center and I am going to say we are in complyant with 645.4 even though we do not have an EPO system as required by 645.10. We touch paitent care so we are using the exception to 645.10. We have six 150Kva PDU's on the floor and I run circuits to our racks using 645.5(E) We buy our cable assemblies from PUD Cables (www.pducables.com) I run two different colors red and blue to represent side A and side B of our UPS system. Two 208V 30A circuits to one rack and using power distribution from HP inside the rack. Now if you are asking about the cord capset as covered in 645.5(D)(5) then that is a different situation. Dose that help in any way?

Kevin
 
Kevin,
Out of curiosity, what does patient care have to do with compliance to 645.10? Is your facility considered compliant with 685 (Integrated Electrical System)? I was able to get that to work with an inspector once and only once.
 
Ron,

We have systems in our data center that have x-ray images and medical records and paitent Rx needs on them and to my understanding the Doctors need access to this information at all times. Does having that information fall under the need for an "orderly shutdown" or "safe operation" (685.1(1)) I don't know. We have one server in our data center that is being used as a print server for a system called Optio this system contorls all paitent addmidtance and the printers print the little arm bands and Rx needs for five hospitals and there are 14,000 printers passing information through this one server. Is it a good setup? I say no. Is that a good reason not to have an EPO system? We have EPO's on each of our PDU's but they are not connected via any type of shunt trip device located at the exit doors. Our smoke detectors located under the floor will sound an alarm and disconnect power to the A/C units and close the smoke dampners. But as far as "disconnecting power to all electronic equipment in the room" it doesn't happen that way. To my understanding a disconnect is suppose to be located at all exit doors that disconnect power to all electronic equipment located in the room. That is how I read 645.10 and that is how I have seen it setup at other data centers........What is the right way? What is your take on "Intergrated Electrical Equipment?"
 
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