Smoky?
by gfretwell - 06/09/23 11:23 AM
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Joined: Feb 2002
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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
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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.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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So a receptacle is OK just don't leave anything plugged into it.
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Joined: May 2005
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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
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Joined: Jul 2004
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How do you let them put that pump up there?
Greg Fretwell
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Joined: Jan 2005
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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.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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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.
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Joined: May 2005
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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
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Joined: Jul 2004
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If you can get them with the MC whip, case closed. I just had never seen one.
Greg Fretwell
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Joined: Apr 2002
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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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