Plug Molding

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Fixed Multioutlet Assemblies. Fixed multioutlet assemblies used in other than dwelling units or the guest rooms of hotels or motels shall be computed in accordance with (1) or (2). For the purposes of this section, the computation shall be permitted to be based on the portion that contains receptacle outlets.

(1) Where appliances are unlikely to be used simultaneously, each 1.5 m (5 ft) or fraction thereof of each separate and continuous length shall be considered as one outlet of not less than 180 volt-amperes.

(2) Where appliances are likely to be used simultaneously, each 300 mm (1 ft) or fraction thereof shall be considered as an outlet of not less than 180 volt-amperes.
 
iwire said:
Fixed Multioutlet Assemblies. Fixed multioutlet assemblies used in other than dwelling units or the guest rooms of hotels or motels shall be computed in accordance with (1) or (2). For the purposes of this section, the computation shall be permitted to be based on the portion that contains receptacle outlets.

(1) Where appliances are unlikely to be used simultaneously, each 1.5 m (5 ft) or fraction thereof of each separate and continuous length shall be considered as one outlet of not less than 180 volt-amperes.

(2) Where appliances are likely to be used simultaneously, each 300 mm (1 ft) or fraction thereof shall be considered as an outlet of not less than 180 volt-amperes.
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Thanks,i was bit concerned over 48 feet of track but they only run about 20 lap tops on display and they will not all be on all the time.What we are doing is lot better than what they had with power strips.
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
Thanks,i was bit concerned over 48 feet of track but they only run about 20 lap tops on display and they will not all be on all the time.What we are doing is lot better than what they had with power strips.
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Jim, this sounds like it is going to be for a display in a retail space. Just because they are only plugging in laptops now, doesn't mean that they won't plug in desktop computers tomorrow. That being said, newer laptops are using 90 watt or larger power supplies, so I would still go by the 180VA per linear foot calculation, especially since every outlet is likely to be used concurrently. In a retail environment displays are likely to be changed as often as once a week, which means that another shelf could be added above the first that is holding the 20 laptops now, where another 20 laptops could be placed. At which time joe schmoe that was hired last week will be told by their manager to go rearrange the display and put these shelves up so that more laptops or computer accessories can be put on display. The store will often want those other accessories powered up on the display so that customers can see how they work and are more likely to buy. While the laptops would not initially throw you over the limit, the later additions could easily do so. IMO a display environment should always be calculated based on the assumtion that every outlet will be used, because eventually it will (then out comes the outlet strips to get more plug space).
 
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tbonse said:
Jim, this sounds like it is going to be for a display in a retail space. Just because they are only plugging in laptops now, doesn't mean that they won't plug in desktop computers tomorrow. That being said, newer laptops are using 90 watt or larger power supplies, so I would still go by the 180VA per linear foot calculation, especially since every outlet is likely to be used concurrently. In a retail environment displays are likely to be changed as often as once a week, which means that another shelf could be added above the first that is holding the 20 laptops now, where another 20 laptops could be placed. At which time joe schmoe that was hired last week will be told by their manager to go rearrange the display and put these shelves up so that more laptops or computer accessories can be put on display. The store will often want those other accessories powered up on the display so that customers can see how they work and are more likely to buy. While the laptops would not initially throw you over the limit, the later additions could easily do so. IMO a display environment should always be calculated based on the assumtion that every outlet will be used, because eventually it will (then out comes the outlet strips to get more plug space).
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It is a major electronics store and i agree its needs will change.All i was concerned about was being legal at the time.Its just some minor remodeling.We are using circuits that are already available,Perhaps some will be added later.
 
Jim,

I just did the math and per phase you could go either approx 13 feet based up a 180VA/LF calculation or 20 feet per phase based upon a 180VA/1.5LF. So either way if you are running all of this off of a single pole on a single breaker, you have a problem. BTW 20A breaker is assumed in the calculations as opposed to a 15. If you go by the 180VA/LF calculation and 3 ph (1 for each section of 13 feet), then you can make about 39 of your 48 feet. If instead you went by the 180VA/1.5LF calculation, then you can make it 60 feet for a 3ph.
 
Well I screwed up the math on the second one b/c I tried to take a shortcut on the math, did it again. The second calculation should be based upon 180VA/5LF in which case each leg will get you 66 feet. That however would easily be overloaded on a single 20A circuit if laptops were plugged in. I just looked at the 65watt power supply for my laptop and even though it's a low wattage it draws 1.6A at 120V. I hope this helps you in planning your project.
 
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