Surge Protector Use

[KTG]

Morning........We had recent inspection by PA Dept. of Health, Life Safety Division......Inspector found a fan plugged into a surge-protected power strip and said same was not allowed as it didn't meet code (NEC, but she didn't have specific standard to reference).....Said it was permitted when plugging in electronic equipment like computer, fax machine, printer, etc., but not TV, VCR, Fan, etc., i.e., applainces........

Please direct me to NEC standard (could not find in code book) and please explain the logic behind same.......

Thank you for your assistance...............KTG

 

[charlie b]

You need to edit your poll. It has three identical responses, and none of the responses make sense. For a poll to be useful, you have ask a question and give choices that could be answers to that question. Your two choices do not answer the question.

But let me add that the facility?s permanent wiring comes under the NEC rules, but what the owner or tenant plugs into that wiring does not. The NEC has nothing to say about a surge-protected plug strip, and even less than nothing to say about what gets plugged into it.

 

[jtester]

I agree with Charlie, it's probably not an NEC issue, but I run into loss prevention specialists who don't like multi outlet surge supressors being used where surge supression isn't likely needed.

If it was OK, you could just use an extension cord with multiple receptacles on the head of it.

Jim T

 

[KTG]

This is my first time in posting anything and I obviously didn't understand what was being required of same, ergo the repeated, verbatim posting of the same question.......

To insure I understand the rules and avoid wasting your (or anyone's) valuable time, do I understand correctly that I have to post a question and then provided several possible solutions/answers..........

Just trying to understand how the system works; grateful for an opportunity to have access to professionals in the electrical field.......I'm a civil/structural engineer by education and have been in Construction Management the past 25+ yearsn amd this service proved by Mike Holt is invaluable...........Thanks for your time in this regard.......And your response........I too thought the inspector was mistaken in her interpretation of code...........KTG

 

[charlie b]

To be honest, I don't think your issue would be helped by the use of a poll. A poll is intended to get a count of what percentage of the membership believes one thing and what percentage believes another thing. The Forum software has had the capability of conducting polls for perhaps a year or more, and I have only seen it used a handful of times. I've seen thousands of questions, and under a dozen polls. So really it's not necessary to include a poll with your question. All you need to do is post your question (which you have done), and see what comments it draws from the membership.

 

[KTG]

Thanks again for your indulgence.........I thought I was prompted via screens to go the "poll" route.........I'll look for ways/means to avoid same route in future.......Have a good Holiday..........KTG

 

[benaround]

KTG,

Do you still have the manafacture's paper work that came with the unit??

Lots of time, the paper work will answer questions like this one way or the

other.

Also, Bob, (iwire) has chimed in with the "in the know" info in the past,

maybe he'll see this and remind both of us.

 

[George Stolz]

What on earth could be the possible safety hazard, having a fan plugged into a surge strip? :-?

 

[Johnmcca]

Someone could trip over it? But that isn't a NEC issue

 

[JohnJ0906]

I just scanned articles 430 and 406, and I couldn't find anything prohibiting plugging a fan in. (Although, I could have missed something) And why on earth couldn't a TV or VCR be plugged in? Ask her for a code article and/or logic behind this decision.

 

[al hildenbrand]

Please direct me to NEC standard

KTG,

The NEC isn't really involved with this except for the most general of statements such as article 110.3.

The UL Guide Information For Electrical Equipment 2006 (the so-called White Book) has this description:

RELOCATABLE POWER TAPS (XBYS)

USE AND INSTALLATION​

This category covers relocatable power taps rated 250 V ac or less, 20 A or less. They are intended for indoor use as relocatable multiple outlet extensions of a single branch circuit to supply laboratory equipment, home workshops, home movie lighting controls, musical instrumentation, and to provide outlet receptacles for computers, audio and video equipment, and other equipment. They consist of one attachment plug and a single length of flexible cord terminated in a single enclosure in which one or more receptacles are mounted. They may, in addition, be provided with fuses or other supplementary overcurrent protection, switches, suppression components and/or indicator lights in any combination, or connections for cable, communications, telephone and/or antenna.​

Relocatable power taps are intended to be directly connected to a permanently installed branch circuit receptacle. Relocatable power taps are not intended to be series connected (daisy chained) to other relocatable power taps or to extension cords.​

Relocatable power taps are not intended for use at construction sites and similar locations. Relocatable power taps are not intended to be permanently secured to building structures, tables, work benches or similar structures, nor are they intended to be used as a substitute for fixed wiring. The cords of relocatable power taps are not intended to be routed through walls, windows, ceilings, floors or similar openings.​

Relocatable power taps have not been investigated and are not intended for use with general patient care areas or critical patient care areas of health care facilities as defined in Article 517 of ANSI/NFPA 70, ‘‘National Electrical Code’’ (NEC). Component power taps may be factory installed on relocatable equipment intended for use in general patient care areas or critical patient care areas as defined in the NEC. They are intended to comply with 60601-1, ‘‘Medical Electrical Equipment, Part 1: General Requirements,’’ and 60601-1-1, ‘‘Safety Requirements for Medical Electrical Systems.’’ Refer to Medical Equipment (PIDF).​

RELATED PRODUCTS

For relocatable power taps employing cord sets provided with leakage current detection and interruption, see Cord Sets with Leakage Current Detection and Interruption (ELGN).​

For portable ground-fault circuit interrupters, see Ground-fault Circuit Interrupters (KCXS).​

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION​

For additional information, see Electrical Equipment for Use in Ordinary Locations (AALZ).​

REQUIREMENTS



The basic standard used to investigate products in this category is UL 1363, ‘‘Relocatable Power Taps.’’

UL MARK​

The Listing Mark of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. on the product is the only method provided by UL to identify products manufactured under its Listing and Follow-Up Service. The Listing Mark for these products includes the UL symbol (as illustrated in the Introduction of this Directory) together with the word ‘‘LISTED,’’ a control number, and the product name ‘‘Relocatable Power Tap,’’ ‘‘Power Tap’’ or ‘‘Outlet Strip.’’​

Edit to take a meat cleaver to the "quote" formatting. I lost.

 

[chuck mccarty]

Agreed that this is not an NEC issue. If it's in a business wouldn't it be an OSHA issue? Seems to me that off the shelf strips are listed as temporary wiring. If this is the case then we're talking about using a temp method for permanent wiring. Yes? No?

 

[KTG]

Thanks

Thanks

Thanks for continued input on this subject......Sate inspector just responded, correcting themselves by referencing NFPA 70, Article 400.8 "'surge protectors, power strips and/or extension cords may not be used in place of permanent wiring".......However, how else would one plug in an appliance unless directly into an outlet and then you'd be limited to number and location of permamnent wall outlets.........It is my opinion this is a misinterpretation of the referenced Code...........I found an interpretation form Nebraska Sate Fire Marshal stating...."Multiplug appliances (strip outlets) having a built-in circuit breaker that are listed and approved for permanent use are acceptable"......What is not permitted is a) use as a substitiute for fixed wiring, b) running cords through holes in walls celings or floors, c) running cords throough doorways, windows or other structural openings, d) attaching cords to buidling surfaces, and e) concealment behind walls, celings or floors..........????.......Again, it is my opnion thier interpretation is incorrect[/B].........Thoughts??...........Thanks

 

[JohnJ0906]

article 400.8 says nothing at all about surge strips, etc.!
400.8 Uses Not Permitted
Unless specifically permitted in 400.7, flexible cords and cables shall not be used for the following: .....

 

[KTG]

Thanks

Thanks

Thanks all of you who took the time and interest to respond........Very much appreciated.........I am considering inspector's interpretation to be incorrect and will respond, diplomatically, accordingly.........Thanks again