reloc wiring systems
- Thread starter gimpyfac
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peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
Re: reloc wiring systems
Why doesn't your code allow it?
It's plain old MC cable with modular plugs on the end.
I don't have any personal experience with it but it's very common in my area. Logic tells me it's easy to install and saves lots of labor and time.
Go into any Home Depot, Lowes, Sam's Club, Costco, etc around here and you will see it.
Why doesn't your code allow it?
It's plain old MC cable with modular plugs on the end.I don't have any personal experience with it but it's very common in my area. Logic tells me it's easy to install and saves lots of labor and time.
Go into any Home Depot, Lowes, Sam's Club, Costco, etc around here and you will see it.
highkvoltage
Senior Member
Re: reloc wiring systems
We use these systems all the time. Great time saver but here are some common problems.
1. They cannot be installed over very hot areas. The connectors will fail in a short period of time.
2. When working with reloc as in locating trouble/fault the multi circuit reloc makes it somewhat difficult to troubleshoot, if you have to turn all the circuits off to repair a bad connector, repair a whip to a fixture, ect. your in the dark.
3. Ordering the proper lengths for your runs. They come in different lenths and you order accordly. You can tell when someone didn't know what they were doing when there is a 20' coil by the light.
4. Ordering the proper connectors and splitters. A little thought goes a long way.
5. Plugging the connectors together correctly. I had an apprentice drive crazy when he didn't push them together all the way. Some may jam up when pushed in crooked and are easy to break when you are trying to take them apart.
6. I write the circuits numbers on the connectors, tees , ect. with a marker. This makes it much easier to troubleshoot later.
7. Use the correct clips according to the NEC. I had to troubleshoot a system and anytime you moved the cable it would fall off the purlin. I clipped it all in and they back charged the original contractor and wrote a nasty letter to the EI.
We use these systems all the time. Great time saver but here are some common problems.
1. They cannot be installed over very hot areas. The connectors will fail in a short period of time.
2. When working with reloc as in locating trouble/fault the multi circuit reloc makes it somewhat difficult to troubleshoot, if you have to turn all the circuits off to repair a bad connector, repair a whip to a fixture, ect. your in the dark.
3. Ordering the proper lengths for your runs. They come in different lenths and you order accordly. You can tell when someone didn't know what they were doing when there is a 20' coil by the light.
4. Ordering the proper connectors and splitters. A little thought goes a long way.
5. Plugging the connectors together correctly. I had an apprentice drive crazy when he didn't push them together all the way. Some may jam up when pushed in crooked and are easy to break when you are trying to take them apart.
6. I write the circuits numbers on the connectors, tees , ect. with a marker. This makes it much easier to troubleshoot later.
7. Use the correct clips according to the NEC. I had to troubleshoot a system and anytime you moved the cable it would fall off the purlin. I clipped it all in and they back charged the original contractor and wrote a nasty letter to the EI.
peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
Re: reloc wiring systems
How is this any different? The only safe way to work on any multiwire circuit is to deenergize the entire thing.
highkvoltage
Senior Member
Re: reloc wiring systems
peter. With conduit you can turn off one circuit (the one you are working on) and you still have lights. With reloc you have a bad plug, connector, ect. and it's a multiconductor with 3 circuits you have to turn them all off. You are in the dark. Second if the circuit are not clearly marked anywhere you can not use a inductance tester to find which circuit it is. You have to start flipping CB's and with metal Hilide taking 15 minutes to restrike this is going to take awhile. Also as long as you have the proper training why not work it hot. A pair of low voltage gloves along with you other needed PPE and there would be no risk of a personal injury. It's faster and saves time.
peter. With conduit you can turn off one circuit (the one you are working on) and you still have lights. With reloc you have a bad plug, connector, ect. and it's a multiconductor with 3 circuits you have to turn them all off. You are in the dark. Second if the circuit are not clearly marked anywhere you can not use a inductance tester to find which circuit it is. You have to start flipping CB's and with metal Hilide taking 15 minutes to restrike this is going to take awhile. Also as long as you have the proper training why not work it hot. A pair of low voltage gloves along with you other needed PPE and there would be no risk of a personal injury. It's faster and saves time.
peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
Re: reloc wiring systems
Not to mention the shock hazard that still exists from the other live conductors.
I'm in no position to lecture anyone about working live because I do on occasion, in residential service panels. But it's still wrong and it's against the rules.
As far as being faster and saving time, well, as long as commerce and money are more important than human life, then electricians will continue to be put in dangerous situations unnecesarily.
Edited for clarity
[ January 11, 2005, 08:32 PM: Message edited by: peter d ]
I'm still not understanding how that's safer. If you have a multiwire circuit in conduit, and you're messing around with a splice in the grounded conductor while the other circuits are live and under load, you risk opening it and making a huge mess.
Not to mention the shock hazard that still exists from the other live conductors.As long as you are working live there is always risk of personal injury, even with PPE.
I'm in no position to lecture anyone about working live because I do on occasion, in residential service panels. But it's still wrong and it's against the rules.
As far as being faster and saving time, well, as long as commerce and money are more important than human life, then electricians will continue to be put in dangerous situations unnecesarily.
Edited for clarity
[ January 11, 2005, 08:32 PM: Message edited by: peter d ]
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Re: reloc wiring systems
Don
Working hot, even with proper PPE, is forbidden by OSHA rules in most cases.
Don
Re: reloc wiring systems
Reloc:
Reloc is a glorified extension cord. If you have to work on it, you just unplug the other end. Ideally, this shouldn't be done under load but then the thing [usually a light] doesn't work any way so no load.
I worked in a 30 year old school which used this system for florescent lights. Some were repaired by removing the socket end and hardwiring. This leads me to believe that they eventually fail.
In the Home Depot type of situation, the layout is done by the Reloc company. They supply and specify a choice of either 12' or 19' sections. It is invariable that there will be a loop of excess coiled up. Lin R. Rogers does all the Home Depots and they used nylon Ty-raps for securing.
~Peter
Reloc:
Reloc is a glorified extension cord. If you have to work on it, you just unplug the other end. Ideally, this shouldn't be done under load but then the thing [usually a light] doesn't work any way so no load.
I worked in a 30 year old school which used this system for florescent lights. Some were repaired by removing the socket end and hardwiring. This leads me to believe that they eventually fail.
In the Home Depot type of situation, the layout is done by the Reloc company. They supply and specify a choice of either 12' or 19' sections. It is invariable that there will be a loop of excess coiled up. Lin R. Rogers does all the Home Depots and they used nylon Ty-raps for securing.
~Peter
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