Use of SO Cord

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chevyx92

Senior Member
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VA BCH, VA
What do you guys say about this scenario? The top picture in this link shows an automotive lift with motor mounted on side about 4' off the ground. http://www.americasprideonline.com/autolifts/pro-mechanics-series.shtml#9A
My question is if the circuit is overhead can you by code drop down from j-box with so cord(with strain relief of course) into a disconnect that would be mounted above motor? Reason I ask is I have 10 of these lifts to wire and the note on the print says to drop from ceiling j-box with so cord into disconnect. I for some reason think this isn't right? Is the engineer using 400.7(5) or 400.7(7) to justify using so cord. Personally I think it would be a violation of 400.8(1). But not 100% sure. What do you say?
 
Minuteman said:
I installed 4 of those in July. I mounted the disconnect on the wall, ran up and over the lift and back down in EMT.
Click to expand...

I've normally done them in EMT, at least the one I did do with flexible cord was supposed to be temporary, it's just nobody called me to relocate it yet... :roll:
 
Chevy,

They use the same lifts in Cosco stores in the tire center,print shows twist-

lok recpt. overhead and cord to disconnect. It would be hard to say that

vibration is not an issue. Pierre has brought up a good point also.

One caution, when mounting the disconnects on the beams, make sure the

bolts are almost flush on the inside of the beam where the other beam slides

up and down.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
Take a look at
511.17(A) Wiring Above Class I Locations.
(1) Fixed Wiring Above Class I Locations.
Click to expand...
If this is the case then why would the engineer spec the use of so cord to drop from j-box to disconnect? I asked my boss and he said he would find the article that supports the use of the cord. I can't find it. Is there something I'm missing?
 
Ask the engineer if he has seen Art 511.

There are many people who do not understand how to read the NEC. So, they read what they think is code, misunderstand it, and then try to apply it. Hence we have issues with some people who think they actually know/understand what they are doing.


Casual readers of the NEC are the ones most apt to fall into this trap. Of course they are usually the ones to complain the most about how hard it is to use the NEC...when maybe they should use it more often to be able to use it better.


Something like that...:grin:
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
Ask the engineer if he has seen Art 511.
Click to expand...
Its funny you say that. There is a note on the drawings that says all conduit and associated wiring must comply with article 511 Commercial garages, repair and storage. Yet he still speced the so cord????? Go figure that one.
 
Permanent wiring methods have to be used to connect the disconnect switch. SO cord (flexible cord) is not considered a permanent wiring method. If the lift was cord and plug connected, it could be connected to a wall mounted outlet or a pendant box receptacle. NEC 400.6 lists uses permitted for flex cords (1) pendants, (6) connection of utilization equipment to facilitate frequent interchange and NEC 314.23(H)(1). Otherwise conduit or flexible conduit should be used to connect the disconnect switch.
 
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