HotLine, the suspended ceiling issue is complicated by one detail: next week they may want the item served by the cord moved over ten feet - or more. Think of the “hot tables” found near the registers at tour local market. Today that cart might be parked by register #3; tomorrow they might want it over by register #7.
Wherever they park it, they want the cord to neatly drop as plumb as possible. They’re not going to want a separate cord drop at every tile.
The issue arises where the cord passes through the tile. I understand the codes’ concern about abrasion. Yet I fail to see how a ceiling tile can abrade anything. I also note the universal practice of passing a dishwasher cord through a hole in the side of the kitchen cabinet — without a peep from anyone.
Use a bushing? Code makes no such allowance. I simply says cords can’t pass through.
