Undercarpet cabling system NEC Code question

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pthomas@natlcustom.com

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Norcross, GA, USA
It is my understanding that undercarpet power and LV flat wire cabling systems only "pass" code if installed under carpet tile. How do I initiate getting this code updated to include or allow flat wire to be installed under alternate new flooring types, like releasable glue down LVT or LVP products or under free floating LVT Click products. They provide more protection than carpet tile and still allow access because they are either free floating or glued down with releasable adhesive just like carpet tile.
 
I am not familiar with the code requirement to which you refer. I will say that the National Electrical Code is revised every 3 years, and they accept suggestions for code changes from the general public. However, that process is underway for the 2017 NEC, and it is too late to offer new suggestions.
 
FCC is covered under Article 324 and as you've stated it is only permitted under carpet squares up to 1 square meter. You would need to write a proposal to NFPA70 for the 2020 code cycle to have your idea considered.

I. General
324.1 Scope. This article covers a field-installed wiring sys-
tem for branch circuits incorporating Type FCC cable and
associated accessories as defined by the article. The wiring
system is designed for installation under carpet squares.
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324.41 Floor Coverings. Floor-mounted Type FCC cable,
cable connectors, and insulating ends shall be covered with
carpet squares not larger than 1.0 m (39.37 in.) square. Carpet
squares that are adhered to the floor shall be attached with
release-type adhesives.
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Some NFPA70 info:

http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/document-information-pages?mode=code&code=70&tab=nextedition
 
I support your idea. These new products were not available when the undercarpet article came out. It may be the product manufacturer had the product, needed to get in the code to be able to sell it.
Suggest you start with the product manufacturer. You have several years to work on your proposal
 
sandsnow said:
Is FCC still popular in some areas? It was all the rage here in SoCal back when it first came out. I haven't seen it in over ten years, probably more.
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I have not seen much of it but one of my coworkers recently installed some for a kiosk in a store.
 
sandsnow said:
Is FCC still popular in some areas? It was all the rage here in SoCal back when it first came out. I haven't seen it in over ten years, probably more.
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Probably because it is some of the worst electrical equipment ever invented. I have not installed any of it but I have torn it out. What junk! The idea is great. A decent version of it would be awesome, but the product as it exists now, every last bit of it, should piled up in the middle of the desert and set on fire; what remains should be plowed over with a D8 Cat and then be urinated on.
 
ActionDave said:
Probably because it is some of the worst electrical equipment ever invented. I have not installed any of it but I have torn it out. What junk! The idea is great. A decent version of it would be awesome, but the product as it exists now, every last bit of it, should piled up in the middle of the desert and set on fire; what remains should be plowed over with a D8 Cat and then be urinated on.
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Eeeks!
 
ActionDave said:
Probably because it is some of the worst electrical equipment ever invented. I have not installed any of it but I have torn it out. What junk! The idea is great. A decent version of it would be awesome, but the product as it exists now, every last bit of it, should piled up in the middle of the desert and set on fire; what remains should be plowed over with a D8 Cat and then be urinated on.
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So what I'm hearing is that you could go either way ;):D
 
ActionDave said:
Probably because it is some of the worst electrical equipment ever invented. I have not installed any of it but I have torn it out. What junk! The idea is great. A decent version of it would be awesome, but the product as it exists now, every last bit of it, should piled up in the middle of the desert and set on fire; what remains should be plowed over with a D8 Cat and then be urinated on.
Click to expand...
We did a project with a few thousand feet of it and did not have any issues. Why do you say it is junk?
 
Thank you for your information.

Thank you for your information.

Thanks for the information. it was very helpful. I will try to encourage the manufacturer to submit a code update/change.

charlie b said:
I am not familiar with the code requirement to which you refer. I will say that the National Electrical Code is revised every 3 years, and they accept suggestions for code changes from the general public. However, that process is underway for the 2017 NEC, and it is too late to offer new suggestions.
Click to expand...
 
ActionDave said:
The conductors inside were little more than tin foil and the way the devices, coupling, and corner pieces fit together like cheap chinees toys.
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The brand we used fit together nicely and the conductors have the same cross sectional area as a #12, just a flat and not round shape. There were no corner pieces with our install...you just folded the flat conductor over to make a 90? change in direction.
 
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