Power to freestanding pergolas

[steve66]

Say we have a large pergola, but its free-standing. So it isn't anchored to the ground, and it can be moved. But it would be farily hard to move - it would take at least 4 people (one at each post) to move it.

I assume I can't hard pipe to this since its not permeant? Would that be correct?

Lets further assume that's correct, and the owner wants to install a ceiling fan on this pergola (assume its wet location rated.) Ceiling Fans are normally hardwired.

Would it be code compliant to hardwire the ceiling fan to an outlet box at the top of the pergola, and then hardpipe across the pergola and down a post to another outlet box at the bottom of the post.

The box at the bottom would have a cord and plug, so it could be plugged into a permeant GFCI receptacle at the wall of the building?

Does all that sound compliant?

 

[petersonra]

Say we have a large pergola, but its free-standing. So it isn't anchored to the ground, and it can be moved. But it would be farily hard to move - it would take at least 4 people (one at each post) to move it.

I assume I can't hard pipe to this since its not permeant? Would that be correct?

Lets further assume that's correct, and the owner wants to install a ceiling fan on this pergola (assume its wet location rated.) Ceiling Fans are normally hardwired.

Would it be code compliant to hardwire the ceiling fan to an outlet box at the top of the pergola, and then hardpipe across the pergola and down a post to another outlet box at the bottom of the post.

The box at the bottom would have a cord and plug, so it could be plugged into a permeant GFCI receptacle at the wall of the building?

Does all that sound compliant?

I'd be inclined to put a male receptacle at the box instead of a hard wired cord. Then you could just plug a regular extension cord into it.

 

[steve66]

I'd be inclined to put a male receptacle at the box instead of a hard wired cord. Then you could just plug a regular extension cord into it.

That sounds like a good idea.

But you agree with everything else? Hardwiring TO a portable structure isn't permitted? But hardwiring ON a portable structure is permitted?

 

[petersonra]

That sounds like a good idea.

But you agree with everything else? Hardwiring TO a portable structure isn't permitted? But hardwiring ON a portable structure is permitted?

I don't believe there is any prohibition on hardwiring to a portable structure. It is a design choice.

Lots of things can be moved if you try hard enough.