SO Cord vs conduit

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tspisak

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I have a 60ft "portable" conveyor (on casters) with a motor starter panel located in the center - off each end are smaller conveyors on casters. My question: Can SO cord be used for the 480 vac power to each of the motors with twist lock plugs between sections?

I would rather go with the safer solution of running conduit (maybe liquidtite) to each end of the 60ft conveyor and then jumper between the conveyors with short SO cables. This would satisfy the "protection from damage" part of the code.

The code book is a little vague since this conveyor is "portable" and not building structure. What would be your solution if the 60ft conveyor was bolted to the floor?
 
I plan on using SO on the ends but what about the two 30 ft pieces of SO run along/under the conveyor. Won't that pose a hazard if it gets damaged down the road? Art 400 doesn't go into much detail on this.
 
tspisak said:
I plan on using SO on the ends but what about the two 30 ft pieces of SO run along/under the conveyor. Won't that pose a hazard if it gets damaged down the road? Art 400 doesn't go into much detail on this.
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I agree it doesn't. If it was me I'd run conduit to ends of 60', install a receptacle (my preference for this is a Meltric) Use plug and SO to small conveyors.

Do each of these conveyors have its own starter and disconnect?
 
Yes, I would look VERY carefully at the ratings for SO cord, they are VERY much reduced, when compared to most THHN type wire. Also they cannot carry current over any distance.

I would look VERY close, at the ratings before I went with the SO, or SJ cord.
 
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