ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
Increasing demand factors in residential
by tortuga - 03/28/24 05:57 PM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
Cordless Tools: The Obvious Question
by renosteinke - 03/14/24 08:05 PM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 260 guests, and 19 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
#100264 11/06/06 09:22 PM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 814
B
BigB Offline OP
Member
A projector is mounted from the suspended ceiling in a retail store. It is mounted to a 1-1/2 PVC pipe which is secured to the building at a point above the ceiling grid. The PVC has grommeted holes below the grid and above to pass wires thru. The power cord is passed thru the pipe into the area above the grid, where it is plugged into a duplex mounted above the ceiling. The area above the grid is not used for an air plenum. Would this installation meet code?

Stay up to Code with the Latest NEC:


>> 2023 NEC & Related Reference & Exam Prep
2023 NEC & Related Reference & Study Guides

Pass Your Exam the FIRST TIME with the Latest NEC & Exam Prep

>> 2020 NEC & Related Reference & Study Guides
 

#100265 11/06/06 09:40 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,445
Likes: 2
Cat Servant
Member
Nope. Code has no exceptions for flexible cords above any kind of suspended ceiling.

FWIW, I had a similar job. I ran MC to a box, that was mounted to a piece of plywood that substituted for a ceiling tile. This box was used to mount a receptacle, which is where the projector got it's power.

#100266 11/07/06 08:06 AM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,294
Member
An easy fix--- mount a receptacle facing down in the ceiling with one of these: 512
Use a 3/4" deep mud ring, and you're in [Linked Image]

#100267 11/07/06 11:26 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
I agree with Reno and electure.

No cords in the ceiling.


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#100268 11/07/06 02:06 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 91
H
Member
Shouldn't questions regarding code compliance in this case end with the placement of the receptacle?

Is the projector cord considered "building wiring" and if not then is it subject to code rules?

(edited for grammer)

[This message has been edited by Helectric (edited 11-07-2006).]

#100269 11/07/06 03:15 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 110
T
Member
(I assume this building passed inspection) The school I am in has this same setup. They use a 2x2 metal pan designed specifically for projectors. There is a pipe for the projector, a 2x4 KO for a duplex, and a grommeted area for the A/V cables. Just a guess, but it might be that the A/V cables are treated as network cables- they need to be rated if inside a plenum.

#100270 11/07/06 06:30 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
Quote
Is the projector cord considered "building wiring" and if not then is it subject to code rules?

Interesting, but the NEC for good or bad has extended itself past the receptacles.

Here are a few 2005 NEC examples to look at

590.5

422.51

440.65

240.5


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#100271 11/07/06 09:11 PM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,294
Member
Something else to take into consideration is the age of the installation.
I think this prohibition was added in the '99 NEC (no book with me). If it was installed previous to that Code's adoption, it could very well have been inspected, and code compliant.

Not everything that doesn't meet the latest Code is a violation [Linked Image]

#100272 11/07/06 09:27 PM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 814
B
BigB Offline OP
Member
The present installation is an extension cord run across the top of the grid to a wall, where it is poked thru to a wall duplex. The fire inspector said they have to change it, and said it would be ok set up the way I described it in my original post. Now I will have to tell them no matter what the fire inspector says, I can only do it to code. Thanks for the help everyone.


Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5