PDU's connected to a rack mounted UPS

[Grouch]

I posted a question months ago regarding Relocatable Power Taps (power strips) and extension cords. So in that discussion I learned that you can use RPT's at a desk, as long as the RPT is not permanently secured to the desk AND the RPT plugs right into a wall receptacle without the use of an extension cord.

That being said, I'm coming across an issue on a project (kind of similar question). We have a rack mounted UPS in an MDF room. The IDF room is located on the floor directly above. The client wants to install PDU's in the IDF room, but the power supply cord is not long enough to go down to the UPS on the floor below and connect to the UPS output. The electrical contractor is proposing to install a quad receptacle in the IDF room, and connect it to the UPS output on the floor below in the MDF room using a custom-made plug (I'm assuming it's some kind of custom-made plug). Now that we have a quad receptacle in the IDF room, the PDU's in the IDF room (on the floor above) can now connect to that quad receptacle. My question is... is this legal? I'm assuming not... for starters, the custom-made plug has no UL listing, and this installation would be similar to an RPT connected to the UPS via an extension cord. Any thoughts?

 

[jusme123]

...flexible cords can't be "run thru holes in walls, structural ceilings, suspended ceilings, dropped ceilings, or floors"

400.8(2) 2008 NEC

 

[JFletcher]

I posted a question months ago regarding Relocatable Power Taps (power strips) and extension cords. So in that discussion I learned that you can use RPT's at a desk, as long as the RPT is not permanently secured to the desk AND the RPT plugs right into a wall receptacle without the use of an extension cord.

That being said, I'm coming across an issue on a project (kind of similar question). We have a rack mounted UPS in an MDF room. The IDF room is located on the floor directly above. The client wants to install PDU's in the IDF room, but the power supply cord is not long enough to go down to the UPS on the floor below and connect to the UPS output. The electrical contractor is proposing to install a quad receptacle in the IDF room, and connect it to the UPS output on the floor below in the MDF room using a custom-made plug (I'm assuming it's some kind of custom-made plug). Now that we have a quad receptacle in the IDF room, the PDU's in the IDF room (on the floor above) can now connect to that quad receptacle. My question is... is this legal? I'm assuming not... for starters, the custom-made plug has no UL listing, and this installation would be similar to an RPT connected to the UPS via an extension cord. Any thoughts?

The EC needs to run conduit from the MDF to IDF and use a chapter 3 wiring method. or mount a UPS in the IDF. Custom extension cord thru the floor doesnt fly.

 

[Grouch]

The EC needs to run conduit from the MDF to IDF and use a chapter 3 wiring method. or mount a UPS in the IDF. Custom extension cord thru the floor doesnt fly.

Jfletcher, can the quad receptacle still plug into the UPS on the floor below? Even if the wiring is in conduit?

 

[ron]

Specify the rack mounted UPS to have a hardwired output (hoping this is new and not existing).

I do not think there is an official way to essentially field assemble a permanently connected extension cord (even if you go through the floor in raceway) with receptacle and plug on either end

 

[Grouch]

Thanks everyone for your input.... I went to the field this morning... we'll relocate the UPS up to the IDF room. It makes the most sense actually, plus there's no danger of any violations! The original design called for 2 UPS's to be in the MDF room... one will just be relocated up to the IDF room directly above.