uses permitted for flexible cord

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haskindm said:
In my experience flexible cords are just not as durable as permanent wiring methods. I once had to make some repairs inside a radar dome that had been wired with SO Cord. After about 10-years the cord was rotten and the insulation was just flaking off leaving bare copper conductors. The interior of the dome was climate controlled, no direct sunlight, and no other deteriorating agents that I could identify. The electrical loads were very light. The cord just did not do well as a permanent wiring method.
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That is a very fine reason.
 
haskindm said:
Great quote!
Many flexible cords are installed out of laziness IMHO. I used to work at a government installation and found SO cord running everywhere. What a mess.
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The government is a performance stage, is it not?:grin:

That one's getting deleted.
 
teco said:
A 200 amp bus duct switch has a cord and a threaded 2 -1/2" basket type strain relief with bushing hanging directly from the bus switch knockout. So the entire system hangs from the bus duct switch.
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IMO 368.(B)(1) requires the cord to be supported by the building, not the switch. :smile:
 
Great input from all on this . Thanks. IMO and my comments to the facility electricians were this. 368.56 very clearly states the cord shall be attached to the building. Not just the bus switch. Some of you agree with that. I think that 400.7(B) is not so clear. The exception says as permitted by 368.56B. This tell me I can use flexible cord to connect stationary equipment to facilitate their interchange as long as its approved for hard or extra hard usage and must be listed for bus drop cable. It does not tell me I need to use an attachment plug. IMO I do not need the plug to to comply. Some feel that in 368.56(B) the words in accordance with 400.7 means you need to use the attachment plug to be in accordance. IMO their intent is in accordance with 400.7 allowing the flexible cord to be used to connect utilization equipment to facilitate frequent removel. I could be wrong but thats how I understand it. Hope they clear this up a little the next cycle.
 
haskindm said:
In my experience flexible cords are just not as durable as permanent wiring methods. I once had to make some repairs inside a radar dome that had been wired with SO Cord. After about 10-years the cord was rotten and the insulation was just flaking off leaving bare copper conductors. The interior of the dome was climate controlled, no direct sunlight, and no other deteriorating agents that I could identify. The electrical loads were very light. The cord just did not do well as a permanent wiring method.
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I agree.
I just demo'ed a length of SO cord that was used to connect (1) 8' fluorescent light. The insulation was cracking the whole length, under the jacket. I could actually feel it as I flexed the cord.

Here are a few pics.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p66/JohnJ0906/HPIM0454.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p66/JohnJ0906/HPIM0455.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p66/JohnJ0906/HPIM0456.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p66/JohnJ0906/HPIM0458.jpg
 
JohnJ0906 said:
I agree.
I just demo'ed a length of SO cord that was used to connect (1) 8' fluorescent light. The insulation was cracking the whole length, under the jacket. I could actually feel it as I flexed the cord.
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Was that really SO? Looked like a different cable, maybe SJO?

I guess I'm used to type W cable rated 2000-volts. I noticed the cable in these pictures appears to have a 300-volt rating. I will be interesting to go back and look at the jobs (marinas) I've been wiring in flexible cable (W). Maybe in 10 years or so?
 
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