When is a plugstrip a Panelboard?

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ron

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Plugstrips in IT racks often have internal protection to protect the receptacles, especially when the rating of the overall strip is >30A.

These plugstrips that I'm concerned with, are not listed as multitap like a traditional small unit, but they are listed as IT equipment, UL 60950.

There are large plugstrips in the 60 - 100A, 3 phase range that have many sub-breakers, approaching 21 or more sub-breakers. These are generally considered suplementary protection.

Whether they have breakers or not, since they are in a rack and their primary purpose is that they have recepticals to plug in computers, they are not required to have working clearances. With so any breakers, at some point I think they should be considered like Panelboards and not just breakers in IT equipment.

I wondered if anyone has run into this condition?
 
Do they meet listing requirements for panelboards?

I feel they are nothing more then supplemental overcurrent devices.

The powerstrip it is a part of is listed as a multioutlet assembly or something similar to that, not a panelboard.
 
Do they meet listing requirements for panelboards?

I feel they are nothing more then supplemental overcurrent devices.

The powerstrip it is a part of is listed as a multioutlet assembly or something similar to that, not a panelboard.

They do not meet listings for Panelboards. I question that at some point they are essentially doing the same thing and should be forced to comply with Panelboard listings and the associated code requirements. This is a loophole
 
They do not meet listings for Panelboards. I question that at some point they are essentially doing the same thing and should be forced to comply with Panelboard listings and the associated code requirements. This is a loophole
I don't get too involved in the IT equipment like you mentioned, and have mostly only seen what many here would call a small installation, but even from those I see what you are getting at. I don't know that we are quite to same thing as a panelboard though, as a panelboard is somewhat unlimited as to what it will supply where this is more limited to what is being supplied, and is more "plug and play" type of an installation as well. It may deserve some consideration to have a code or NEC section that is focused more to this kind of installation though.
 
They do not meet listings for Panelboards. I question that at some point they are essentially doing the same thing and should be forced to comply with Panelboard listings and the associated code requirements. This is a loophole

Assuming the code is complied with up to the plugstrip, making a plugstrip comply with panelboard listing requirements and code requirements (like clearances) would IMO effectively eliminate these plugstrips. Since an electrician is not opening it up to install/remove CBs, working space would not seem to be required, and UL wire bending space would not seem to be required. There are no conduits out to serve loads, so clear space above would not seem warranted. Etc.

I think calling a plugstrip a panelboard is punishing the item for installing supplemental overcurrent protection. There is a lot of industrial equipment that have circuit breakers that may then qualify as a panelboard, and would have to comply.

Is there any history of problems with these installations that would warrant added restrictions?
 
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