Type of flexible cable?

[kbsparky]

I am installing some outdoor luminaries, which appear to be designed to be connected with a flexible cord. They have a built-in clamp with a rubber grommet, and it appears that would work keeping a weather tight connection.

Since these fixtures will be exposed to the elements, including a great deal of sunlight, I want to use a cord that will hold up over the long term.

I was considering using something like VuTron or SJTW cable for this. I have seen installations using SJ cable , SO, or SOW that literally frayed apart after just a few years.

These fixtures are operating at 480 Volts, so any cable rated at 300 Volts might not be suitable.

What have you used in your applications and how has it held up over the long term?

 

[hardworkingstiff]

I'm assuming there are no physical damage issues.

The cable you use should have sunlight resistant and wet rating imprinted on the jacket, if not I don't believe you are allowed to use it. I would use a 600-volt cable myself. I don't know if you can make the argument that the voltage to ground of any conductor would be 277-volts (assuming a wye system) so a 300-volt cable would suffice, but I wouldn't do it.

 

[zbang]

Super Vutron should do if you don't mind the color (AFAIK it's only available in yellow). Can you remove the existing clamp and substitite a liquidtite fitting?

 

[kbsparky]

I would have to drill out the hole in the fixture in order to accommodate a liquidtight fitting. I'd rather use the existing hole/grommet if possible since I have over 50 of these things to hookup.

I don't mind the color of the wire, at 50 feet up, nobody will care if its pink-polka-dotted purple .

You ain't going to see that anyways while those monsters are lit.

 

[zbang]

I don't mind the color of the wire, at 50 feet up, nobody will care if its pink-polka-dotted purple .

I worked on a computer network show in the 90s that used almost mil-spec fiber cables with kevlar strength members (pretty much the same as the B2 bomber ground data cable). In bubblegum pink. Designed for visibility D:.

 

[augie47]

Details will be dependent on the type of fixture you have, but with the restrictions of 400.8 and, (if applicable), 410.62, it may not be Code compliant to use any type cord

 

[kbsparky]

Why would it be a violation to use a flexible cord on a fixture designed to utilize that connection method?

These fixtures have to be able to be adjusted for proper orientation after wiring. The fixture has a fitting specifically designed for use with a flexible cord.

I doubt that at 50 feet up in the air there is much chance of physical damage that can occur with these, unless you think that flying squirrels may be nesting up there. :roll:

 

[augie47]

Did not say it WAS a violation, said it might be. As usual, the devil is in the details. Now that you mentioned adjustment, the install probably fits the 410.62(B) 'exception'. I have used SOW Vutron in such applications with good results.

 

[wireguru]

carol super vu tron is pretty much the best 'standard' SO type cord for this application. Another one that will stand up to the exposure is Philatron's SEOW product, 'philafin' but its difficult to get in small quantities.

 

[kbsparky]

I figure I'll be needing a couple hundred feet or so to 50+ lights. Probably a 250 foot roll. Is that considered a "small quantity" ?

 

[wireguru]

I figure I'll be needing a couple hundred feet or so to 50+ lights. Probably a 250 foot roll. Is that considered a "small quantity" ?

yes...............