SO cord

[kbf]

Does anyone know the max. lenght SO or SJO cord I can use to connect equipment (such as beer canning and bottling equipment) . The cord will hang from the j boxes with strain relief from the bar joists in a warehoue. I have looked everywhere I can think of in the NEC for this, does anyone know which Article this question can be answered in.
Thanks

 

[iwire]

As long as you can carry but attaching it to the building structure is a code violation unless it is from busway.

 

[hardworkingstiff]

As long as you can carry but attaching it to the building structure is a code violation unless it is from busway.

I'm not challenging you Bob (cause I know you know your code), but I've never read that (because I don't read enough). If you happen to know the code section that supports your statement, would you post it so I can go read it?

Thanks,

 

[iwire]

I'm not challenging you Bob (cause I know you know your code), but I've never read that (because I don't read enough). If you happen to know the code section that supports your statement, would you post it so I can go read it?

Thanks,

You challenging me? :rant:






No problem at all, I had not posted the section because I was laying in bed using my iPod and that is a pain to post code sections from. So ..... you made me get up, get dressed and move to my desk.

400.8 Uses Not Permitted. Unless specifically permitted
in 400.7, flexible cords and cables shall not be used for the
following:

(1) As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure

(2) Where run through holes in walls, structural ceilings,
suspended ceilings, dropped ceilings, or floors

(3) Where run through doorways, windows, or similar
openings

(4) Where attached to building surfaces

Exception to (4): Flexible cord and cable shall be permitted
to be attached to building surfaces in accordance with the
provisions of 368.56(B)

(5) Where concealed by walls, floors, or ceilings or located
above suspended or dropped ceilings

(6) Where installed in raceways, except as otherwise permitted
in this Code

(7) Where subject to physical damage

 

[kwired]

You challenging me? :rant:






No problem at all, I had not posted the section because I was laying in bed using my iPod and that is a pain to post code sections from. So ..... you made me get up, get dressed and move to my desk.

I will challenge that with:

400.7 Uses Permitted.
(A) Uses. Flexible cords and cables shall be used only for the following:


(1) Pendants

.....

A pendant needs supported by something unless you have some kind of gravity resistant cord

 

[iwire]

I will challenge that with:

A pendant needs supported by something unless you have some kind of gravity resistant cord

IMO a pendent must be supported by the enclosure it is supplied from for the very fact 400.8(4) prohibits supporting the cord to the structure. (Please don't point out the structure supports the box)

If your interpretation was correct there would be no need of the exception for busway.

 

[kwired]

IMO a pendent must be supported by the enclosure it is supplied from for the very fact 400.8(4) prohibits supporting the cord to the structure. (Please don't point out the structure supports the box)

If your interpretation was correct there would be no need of the exception for busway.

I am pretty sure the two of us have disagreed on this topic before. I will leave it at that.

 

[petersonra]

my personal opinion is that the code only prohibits the cord from being attached to building surfaces (such as a wall), and the structural elements the OP wants to attach them to are not surfaces.

 

[hardworkingstiff]

You challenging me? :rant:






No problem at all, I had not posted the section because I was laying in bed using my iPod and that is a pain to post code sections from. So ..... you made me get up, get dressed and move to my desk.

Thanks Bob, I was aware of that section but didn't remember that wording being in there and thought you might have been referencing something else.

Sorry I got you up. :weeping:

 

[zbang]

Does anyone know the max. lenght SO or SJO cord I can use to connect equipment (such as beer canning and bottling equipment).

Going back to the original question, I think the answer lies with the manufacturer of the cord. Practically speaking (writing?), I probably wouldn't drop more than about 20-25' without a second strain relief, but that's only my opinion.

Also, don't use 'SOJ' cord, it's for lighter duty (has thinner insulation) than standard "SO".

 

[kwired]

Going back to the original question, I think the answer lies with the manufacturer of the cord. Practically speaking (writing?), I probably wouldn't drop more than about 20-25' without a second strain relief, but that's only my opinion.

Also, don't use 'SOJ' cord, it's for lighter duty (has thinner insulation) than standard "SO".

Size of conductors and number of conductors is going to make a difference in how much the cord weighs.

 

[iwire]

I am pretty sure the two of us have disagreed on this topic before. I will leave it at that.

An ROP for the 2002 NEC, IMO it supports my view.

6- 183 - (400-8(4), Exception): Reject

SUBMITTER: Frederic P. Hartwell, Hartwell Electrical Services,
Inc./Rep. Massachusetts Electrical Code Advisory Committee

RECOMMENDATION: Revise as follows:
?Flexible cord and cable shall be permitted to be attached to
building surfaces in accordance with the provisions of Section 364-8.
For other applications, where the length of the cord from the supply
termination to a suitable tension take-up device is limited to 8 feet
(2.44 m), flexible cord shall be permitted to have one connection to
the building surface.?

SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal allows for traditional
cord extensions from other, non-busway sources such as
overhead wireways. The present NEC isn?t clear whether or not
that entire family of cord use dropped out of the 1999 Code.
The 1999 rule only mentions Section 364-8, and the scope of
that section only covers extensions from busways (naturally,
since that?s what Article 364 covers.) One theory holds that ?the
provisions? involved here are the installation rules for similar
applications, such as that the vertical drop be vertical and so
on. The other, more literal theory, holds that no cords can
extend to a take-up device unless they originate at a busway.
The latter view represents an enormous change in standard
installation practice, and there wasn?t a shred of technical
substantiation in the last Code cycle to support such a
preposterous restriction. This proposal, by covering other nonbusway
applications in a separate sentence, clearly allows those
other applications to continue.

PANEL ACTION: Reject.

PANEL STATEMENT: The submitter has not provided any
technical substantiation to support the recommendation.

NUMBER OF PANEL MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 11

VOTE ON PANEL ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 11

 

[iwire]

And another

6- 184 - (400-8(4) Exception No. 1 (New) ): Reject

SUBMITTER: Will Dockham, Gilmanton Iron Works, NH

RECOMMENDATION: Change the existing Exception to
Exception No. 2, and add the following new Exception No. 1:
Exception No. 1: Flexible cord and cable shall be permitted
to have one connection to the building surface for a suitable
tension take-up device. Length of the cord or cable from the
supply termination to the tension take-up device shall be
limited to 6 ft (1.83 m).

Exception No. 2: Flexible cord and cable run from busways
shall be permitted to be attached to building surfaces in
accordance with the provisions of Section 364-8.

SUBSTANTIATION: Changes to Section 400-8(4) Exception,
in the 1999 NEC, have caused considerable confusion because
of the reference to Section 364-8. Many inspectors have
interpreted the exception to allow connection to building
surface only when cord or cable is run from busway. That
certainly was not the intent of Proposal 6-127 (Proposals to the
1999 NEC, Log #3205). Also, the panel gave no substantiation
for limiting the connection of cord or cable to building
surfaces via a tension take-up device, to busway installations
only.

PANEL ACTION: Reject.

PANEL STATEMENT: See panel statement on Proposal 6-183.

NUMBER OF PANEL MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 11

VOTE ON PANEL ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 11

 

[kwired]

And another

Valid points, and you may be right.

Why is it allowed for pendants from busways? Honest - I don't run into busways in the work I do, so there may be common things I am not aware of.