Good Morning! I have a situation at a school. On each side of a classroom, there is a 20 amp/120 volt convenience receptacle in line with a work station. Each work station has a partition. The school is using a six port surge strip at each location to serve the computers. In other words, they come out of the convenience outlet and daisy chain up top four of these strips to get their desired openings. The surge strips are 20 amp rated. Where in the code could I address this issue as a code violation?
Portable surge protection
- Thread starter BLK
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: Portable surge protection
The only thing I can suggest is 400.8(1). You can't use flexible cord as a substitute for permanent wiring. But if these workstations are essentially portable desks (i.e., not themselves part of or attached to the structure of the building), then there would be no way to install a permanent wiring system on the workstations. So there may be no code violation.
The only thing I can suggest is 400.8(1). You can't use flexible cord as a substitute for permanent wiring. But if these workstations are essentially portable desks (i.e., not themselves part of or attached to the structure of the building), then there would be no way to install a permanent wiring system on the workstations. So there may be no code violation.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
Re: Portable surge protection
It can be argued that these are not part of the premise wiring system and as such are not covered by the NEC.
However, this is definitely as mis-application of the UL listing for these items. UL refers to these as "Relocatable Power Taps".
UL Guide XBYS says:
"Relocatable power taps are intended to be directly connected to a permanently installed branch circuit receptacle. Relocatable power taps are not intended to be series connected (daisy chained) to other relocatable power taps or to extension cords."
It can be argued that these are not part of the premise wiring system and as such are not covered by the NEC.
However, this is definitely as mis-application of the UL listing for these items. UL refers to these as "Relocatable Power Taps".
UL Guide XBYS says:
"Relocatable power taps are intended to be directly connected to a permanently installed branch circuit receptacle. Relocatable power taps are not intended to be series connected (daisy chained) to other relocatable power taps or to extension cords."
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- Semi-retired engineer
Re: Portable surge protection
I don't see how it could possibly violate the NEC. As another poster said, its not part of the premises wiring.
Its also possible you could argue it is somehow a safety hazard because these devices are being used in a way that UL has not listed them for. Again, not a NEC violation.
I don't see how it could possibly violate the NEC. As another poster said, its not part of the premises wiring.
Its also possible you could argue it is somehow a safety hazard because these devices are being used in a way that UL has not listed them for. Again, not a NEC violation.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: Portable surge protection
Wouldn't that be a violation of 110.3(B)?
Re: Portable surge protection
Right off this looks like an AHJ issue because this would not, as mentioned be considered premisis wiring.
If the only thing each of these strips is used for is for a single computer and its associated componants and nothing else, you are looking at 3A or less per station which puts you at your 80% limit on a 15A recep. 310.19(A)(1)
If you consider these work stations "fastened in place", than you have already exceeded your 50% limit of 210.23(A)(2).
___________________
Wes Gerrans
Instructor
Northwest Kansas Technical College
Goodland, Kansas
Right off this looks like an AHJ issue because this would not, as mentioned be considered premisis wiring.
If the only thing each of these strips is used for is for a single computer and its associated componants and nothing else, you are looking at 3A or less per station which puts you at your 80% limit on a 15A recep. 310.19(A)(1)
If you consider these work stations "fastened in place", than you have already exceeded your 50% limit of 210.23(A)(2).
___________________
Wes Gerrans
Instructor
Northwest Kansas Technical College
Goodland, Kansas
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- Semi-retired engineer
Re: Portable surge protection
one could argue it is a bad idea, or that it is somehow unsafe, but I don't see any way it is an NEC violation.
If they were fastened in place, then you might argue it is using cords in place of fixed wiring.
I just don't see that what was done is any kind of safety hazard as long as the plug strips are rated at 20A. They can't overload because the BC OCPD is 20A. If the strips were rated at some lesser amperage, you might be able to make a case of unsafe.
I don't see how. the NEC basically stops at the outlet. these are past that point.
one could argue it is a bad idea, or that it is somehow unsafe, but I don't see any way it is an NEC violation.
If they were fastened in place, then you might argue it is using cords in place of fixed wiring.
I just don't see that what was done is any kind of safety hazard as long as the plug strips are rated at 20A. They can't overload because the BC OCPD is 20A. If the strips were rated at some lesser amperage, you might be able to make a case of unsafe.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: Portable surge protection
True. However, 110.3(B) does say that UL listed equipment has to be used in accordance with the instructions included in the listing. I was hoping someone would jump in and explain how the manner of using equipment falls under the rules of a book that declares itself to not apply to the user.
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: Portable surge protection
The school is using the plug strips to plug into the permanent wiring system, through a method that is not in accordance with the manufacturers instructions as per the UL listing of the equipment. I would say this is a violation of 110.3(B) as Charlie has mentioned.
The school is using the plug strips to plug into the permanent wiring system, through a method that is not in accordance with the manufacturers instructions as per the UL listing of the equipment. I would say this is a violation of 110.3(B) as Charlie has mentioned.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Portable surge protection
Here are some examples of the NEC extending beyond the outlet.
For 2005 Holiday lighting is required to be listed.
Now a bit of a rant, IMO putting rules in the NEC that are unenforceable takes away from the NEC in general.
Just who is the holiday lighting listing requirement aimed at, homeowners?
Who will be enforcing it?
Back to the plug strips, I think the rules should be changed, there are times when these are a good and safe choice. One place I worked had at least 100 Nextel chargers on shelfs, per the NEC this would need at least four 20 amp circuits. The actual total load was carried on one circuit fine with the use of plug strips.
Rant mode off.
Bob
I wish that was true.
Here are some examples of the NEC extending beyond the outlet.
For 2005 Vending machines are required to have integral GFCI protection or the premises system must provide the GFCI.
For 2005 Holiday lighting is required to be listed.
Now a bit of a rant, IMO putting rules in the NEC that are unenforceable takes away from the NEC in general.
Just who is the holiday lighting listing requirement aimed at, homeowners?
Who will be enforcing it?
Back to the plug strips, I think the rules should be changed, there are times when these are a good and safe choice. One place I worked had at least 100 Nextel chargers on shelfs, per the NEC this would need at least four 20 amp circuits. The actual total load was carried on one circuit fine with the use of plug strips.
Rant mode off.
Bob
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- Semi-retired engineer
Re: Portable surge protection
note that I said basically. I am aware there are a very few exceptions where the NEC takes it upon itself to go past the outlet. but they are very few, and they are exceptions to the general case that the nec does not extend past the outlet (or more accurately - does not extend past the premises wiring system).
note that I said basically. I am aware there are a very few exceptions where the NEC takes it upon itself to go past the outlet. but they are very few, and they are exceptions to the general case that the nec does not extend past the outlet (or more accurately - does not extend past the premises wiring system).
paul
Senior Member
- Location
- Snohomish, WA
Re: Portable surge protection
Not an NEC issue. However, I'm sure their insurance carrier or the local fire marshall would be interested.
Not an NEC issue. However, I'm sure their insurance carrier or the local fire marshall would be interested.
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