Running pre-wired pump cable in cable tray...

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rustydud

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Hello all,

I have a pump. It is either 460VAC, 3-phase or 120VAC, 1-phase.
The pump comes with a permanently affixed, pre-wired 20' cable. This cable is either STOW-A or SJTOW-A depending on the voltage.

I have been asked to run this pre-wired 20' cable directly from the pump to a control panel via cable tray.

For someone who is more familiar with the NEC than I am, is this acceptable?
I know that running flexible cord in cable tray is "normally" not acceptable...but in my case, the cable is directly tied to a motor, so is there an exception to the rule for this?

Thanks!
 
Unless the cable is specifically approved for use in cable tray (see marking on cable), you can only run it in a raceway in the cable tray. See Table 392(10) for compliant wiring methods.
 
I have to ask this. How do you run a cord into a raceway supported by a cable tray?

If the raceway is not a complete system end to end it is not a raceway, or is it?
 
petersonra said:
I have to ask this. How do you run a cord into a raceway supported by a cable tray?

If the raceway is not a complete system end to end it is not a raceway, or is it?
Click to expand...

The idea was this:
Motor cable -> cable tray -> control panel

However, as stated, this motor cable cannot be run in cable tray according to the NEC.

Thanks.
 
petersonra said:
I have to ask this. How do you run a cord into a raceway supported by a cable tray?

If the raceway is not a complete system end to end it is not a raceway, or is it?
Click to expand...
The raceway has to be a complete run. The cable tray only serves as a support system [in part] between equipment enclosures
 
petersonra said:
If the cord is permanently attached to the motor, how do you get an end to end raceway?
Click to expand...
Well... you don't. ;)

But I believe a cable gland connector is a generally accepted method. With the cable terminated to the motor in such manner, one can reasonably assume the cable is permitted to be run exposed... at least for a short distance, with the balance protected against physical damage, be it by a sleeve or a sleeve-raceway hybrid using a cable gland as the means of raceway termination on the motor end.
 
Smart $ said:
Well... you don't. ;)

But I believe a cable gland connector is a generally accepted method. With the cable terminated to the motor in such manner, one can reasonably assume the cable is permitted to be run exposed... at least for a short distance, with the balance protected against physical damage, be it by a sleeve or a sleeve-raceway hybrid using a cable gland as the means of raceway termination on the motor end.
Click to expand...

Correct.

By the way:
Suppose I have a sheet-metal shop and want to construct my own raceway out of sheet-metal. Would be made smooth such that there is no chance of the cable being cut or otherwise damaged when it is run through.​
Is this sort of "home-brew" sheet-metal raceway permitted by the NEC?​
 
A sheet metal sheath for physical protection would be just fine.
Call it a raceway instead and you may find that it has to be listed, and you would need approved fittings to enter and leave it.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
GoldDigger said:
A sheet metal sheath for physical protection would be just fine.
Call it a raceway instead and you may find that it has to be listed, and you would need approved fittings to enter and leave it.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I agree. Making your own substructure to carry MC cable, NM cable, etc. is ok, you can't pull THHN/THWN, XHHW, etc. though it, those must be installed in NEC recognized raceways, wireways, etc.

Next thing for OP is the fact he has flexible cord - which generally can't be installed as permanent wiring through building finish components either.
 
I would just run it in plastic outdoors or EMT indoors. Use a threaded coupling and a cord grip to exit to the pump. Or go to carflex
out of the tray or other raceway to the pump. I often see short unsupported cable runs from raceway to motor. Not sure about the
codes on this etc but it's a very common practice.
 
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