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#207627 11/12/12 06:51 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,233
H
Member
I am back on line,and I already have a question. Any restrictions about putting a receptacle above a suspended ceiling? Is it allowed or not?

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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,044
Tom Offline
Member
No problem putting in a receptacle above the dropped ceiling. These receptacles can be used for servicing equipment located above the ceiling. You cannot, however, plug in a flexible cord for a piece of equipment that is located above the ceiling and leave it plugged in. A wireless router would be an example.


Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,233
H
Member
So a receptacle is OK just don't leave anything plugged into it.

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 984
Likes: 1
G
Member
Pretty much...I always have problems with the HVAC folks who want to put a plug-in condensate pump above the ceiling tiles and whine that it should be okay because "it's just a tiny little load". I usually tell them that the only guarantee that comes with that statement is that it will "only start a tiny little fire".


Ghost307
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
How do you let them put that pump up there?



Greg Fretwell
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,445
Likes: 2
Cat Servant
Member
Fire load, smoke load .... Humbug!

IMO, the HVAC condensate pump is a perfect example of where the NEC is simply wrong. Call it extremist, draconian, or misguided.

I disagree with the entire assumption that there can NEVER be a legitimate use of a cord above a suspended ceiling.

Oh, just hard-wire. Yea, right ... even if it were possible to replace the cordset with an MC whip, there'd be howls about 'voiding the listing.'

The HVAC needs a condensate pump. The HVAC is above the ceiling. Is this a back-door attempt to move ban the HVAC from the ceiling void?

An aside ...

Now that Ideal has a funky screwdriver for use on those multi-head screws we see so often, I fully expect some code genius to insist that you can ONLY use the funky driver on the funky heads.

That's where you wind up when you micro-manage.

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,438
Member
I've seen a couple places where the FAU/condensate pump was placed above the electrical room which was hard lid (and the only thing hard lid), thus not above the suspended ceiling.

I know the receptacle itself is not a code violation in itself, but I've always been reluctant to install one above T-bar mostly because I know SOMEONE (alarm guy, HVAC, tenant, etc..) will end up using it for things not allowed.

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 984
Likes: 1
G
Member
Those small condensate pumps are readily available with a whip, but many of the HVAC guys are reluctant to use the right ones the first time around.


Ghost307
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
If you can get them with the MC whip, case closed. I just had never seen one.


Greg Fretwell
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 7
Member
That may be a Chicago thing, I have not seen any up here either. I'll ask around next week.

I remember someone saying that there are AHs with a factory single recept installed for a condensate pump; that would solve the problem IMHO.


John
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