Power Strips - Code Violation

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flex411

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Hello,

Are Power Strips a code violation for commercial? What about residential?

Can someone point me to the article where it says power strips are a code violation?

Also, how are telecommunications designers able to specify power strips in racks if they are a code violation?

Also, can you find a house that does not have a power strip behind their TV? Or what about a computer?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank You
 
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Thanks for the reply. Someone told me that power strips were considered extension cords. First of all does that sound correct? Secondly is there anything that talks about extension cords?
 
flex411 said:
Secondly is there anything that talks about extension cords?
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It's not about "extension cords." It's about "flexible cord." Article 400.8 says you cannot use flexible cord as a substitution for permanent wiring. Regarding telecommunications systems, the racks you mention are not part of the premises wiring system. They are items of equipment. It is common for the electrical trade to install permanent receptacles on racks, and for the IT trades to plug power strips into them, in order to feed their equipment. The NEC does not address this situation.
 
So to sum things up, if there is a duplex receptacle installed next to a data outlet and the client installs a computer, speakers, tower and printer and they use a power strip to run it all. is this a code violation in anyway?
 
That is not an NEC violation, because the NEC does not tell the user how to use the electrical distribution system. There is some room for debate on that point, and such debates have taken place here. But for the specific example you mention, using a plug strip at a computer work station, I would assert that the NEC is silent.
 
flex411 said:
So to sum things up, if there is a duplex receptacle installed next to a data outlet and the client installs a computer, speakers, tower and printer and they use a power strip to run it all. is this a code violation in anyway?
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No unless the load exceeds current limits found in the code...probably unlikely.
 
Fom your profile it looks like you want to use them. While not illegal most here would prefer you had some quads directly wired in. You also might want to check with the fire chief.
 
"power strips" are listed under relocatable power taps (XBYS) in the UL white book. If you look at that section in the white book it has some information on the listed applications and uses for relocatable power taps.

Here is a couple of quotes from the white book regarding these power taps:

RELOCATABLE POWER TAPS (XBYS)
USE AND INSTALLATION
This category covers relocatable power taps rated 250 V ac or less, 20 A or
less. They are intended for indoor use as relocatable multiple outlet extensions
of a single branch circuit to supply laboratory equipment, home workshops,
home movie lighting controls, musical instrumentation, and to provide
outlet receptacles for computers, audio and video equipment, and
other equipment.
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Relocatable power taps are not
intended to be series connected (daisy chained) to other relocatable power
taps or to extension cords.
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So according to this you are not suppost to dasiychain the power strip to an extention cord.

Relocatable power taps are not intended to be permanently secured to
building structures, tables, work benches or similar structures, nor are they
intended to be used as a substitute for fixed wiring. The cords of relocatable
power taps are not intended to be routed through walls, windows, ceilings,
floors or similar openings.
Click to expand...

Chris
 
From the White Book:
RELOCATABLE POWER TAPS (XBYS)

USE AND INSTALLATION

This category covers relocatable power taps rated 250 V ac or less, 20 A or less. They are intended for indoor use as relocatable multiple outlet extensions of a single branch circuit to supply laboratory equipment, home workshops, home movie lighting controls, musical instrumentation, and to provide outlet receptacles for computers, audio and video equipment, and other equipment. They consist of one attachment plug and a single length of flexible cord terminated in a single enclosure in which one or more receptacles are mounted. They may, in addition, be provided with fuses or other supplementary overcurrent protection, switches, suppression components and/or indicator lights in any combination, or connections for cable, communications, telephone and/or antenna.

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.

Relocatable power taps are not intended for use at construction sites and similar locations.

Relocatable power taps are not intended to be permanently secured to building structures, tables, work benches or similar structures, nor are they intended to be used as a substitute for fixed wiring. The cords of relocatable power taps are not intended to be routed through walls, windows, ceilings, floors or similar openings.

Relocatable power taps have not been investigated and are not intended for use with general patient care areas or critical patient care areas of health care facilities as defined in Article 517 of ANSI/NFPA 70, ??National Electrical Code.??


RELATED PRODUCTS

For relocatable power taps employing cord sets provided with leakage current detection and interruption, see Cord Sets with Leakage Current Detection and Interruption (ELGN).

For portable ground-fault circuit interrupters, see Ground-fault Circuit Interrupters (KCXS).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For additional information, see Electrical Equipment for Use in Ordinary Locations (AALZ).

REQUIREMENTS

The basic standard used to investigate products in this category is UL 1363, ??Relocatable Power Taps.??

UL MARK

The Listing Mark of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. on the product is the only method provided by UL to identify products manufactured under its Listing and Follow-Up Service. The Listing Mark for these products includes the UL symbol (as illustrated in the Introduction of this Directory) together with the word ??LISTED,?? a control number, and the product name ??Relocatable Power Tap,?? ??Power Tap?? or ??Outlet Strip.??
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flex411 said:
Thanks for the reply. Someone told me that power strips were considered extension cords. First of all does that sound correct? Secondly is there anything that talks about extension cords?
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They are extension cords, just simply fancy ones. The reason behind our spacing of outlets is so we will not need them. Yes we all use them and i have 2 behind my monitor. Safe depends on whats pluged in and quality.
I need 1 because of amount of equipment in my office. 2 monitors, 2 computers,fax machine,tv,box for tv,dvd,24 port router,phone equipment. They are pluged into battery backup that only has 6 outlets so no choice
 
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I do not want to use power strips, I was just curious as to what code said about it. I am a telecom designer and recently ran into someone who said that they were a violation of code and I couldn't believe it.
 
flex411 said:
I do not want to use power strips, I was just curious as to what code said about it.
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In summary, as others have stated above, the National Electrical Code is silent about "outlet strips". The UL White Book "Guide Information for Electrical Equipment" supports their use in specific situations.
 
flex411 said:
I do not want to use power strips, I was just curious as to what code said about it. I am a telecom designer and recently ran into someone who said that they were a violation of code and I couldn't believe it.
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If your talking about a major system with racks i would suggest letting the electrician install whats needed. We are talking thousands in equipment, a few hundred more should not hurt them.
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
If your talking about a major system with racks i would suggest letting the electrician install whats needed. We are talking thousands in equipment, a few hundred more should not hurt them.
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I agree, it would be a better install as well. I am just talking in general though. For a small TR with say two racks we would specify a power strip at the bottom of the rack taking up 1RU and it plugs in.
 
For information technology equipment you might want to look in Article 645. There are some exceptions for cord and plug connected racks if you choose to design the room in accordance with 645. Keep in mind though that you must meet all the requirements of 645 including the disconnecting means for all equipment and the rated construction of the room.

Chris
 
Relocatable power taps are not intended to be permanently secured to building structures, tables, work benches or similar structures,

This must be why virtually all poewr strips include mounting holes or brackets :D.

I have been told that power strips are not to be used in modular furniture, but the person telling me "heard it from someone", so I continued to ignore that idea.
 
zbang said:
This must be why virtually all power strips include mounting holes or brackets :D.
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As long as the mounting holes are the "keyhole" variety, I don't see that "hanging" the strip on the head of a few screws is anywhere near permanently secured. If I can slide and lift the outlet strip away from where it was resting on the screws with nothing more than the movement of my hand, then the strip is definitely not "permanently secured".
 
al hildenbrand said:
As long as the mounting holes are the "keyhole" variety, I don't see that "hanging" the strip on the head of a few screws is anywhere near permanently secured. If I can slide and lift the outlet strip away from where it was resting on the screws with nothing more than the movement of my hand, then the strip is definitely not "permanently secured".
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I agree.

Chris
 
al hildenbrand said:
As long as the mounting holes are the "keyhole" variety, I don't see that "hanging" the strip on the head of a few screws is anywhere near permanently secured. If I can slide and lift the outlet strip away from where it was resting on the screws with nothing more than the movement of my hand, then the strip is definitely not "permanently secured".
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I might even go a step further - would having to remove two screws to take off a power strip mean its "permanently mounted"?? I'm not sure. It can still be removed and replaced if necessary.

Permanent might mean you have to destroy the outlet strip, or something else to remove it.
 
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