ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues 555.19(A)(4)(a) and (b)

555.19(A)(4)(a);
"Receptacles rated not less than 30 amperes or more than 50 amperes shall be of the locking and grounding type"

What does that mean?

then .. in (b) below it it says;
"Receptacles rated 60 amperes or 100 amperes shall be of the pin and sleeve type."

Bill

enviromental conditions, wind, rain, as well as a solid connection to a stationary , yet rocking boat probably dictate this need.

also a w/p connector( over 50A) of any larger ampacity would end up pin & sleeve anyways...same as those power inlets for large genny's.

[This message has been edited by sparky (edited 02-02-2002).]

sparky,

I'm having a problem with the phrase "not less than 30 amperes or more than 50 amperes"
It sounds confusing to me. It sounds like they mean 30A or more, but why didn't they say that?

I see now on the last half I was thinking it said over 50 must be 'Twist Lock' and then it said Pin and Sleeve. Got that part.

Bill



[This message has been edited by Bill Addiss (edited 02-02-2002).]

It is trying to say 30 and 50A receptacles require twistlock connections. 60A and over are required to be pin and sleeve. Just in a backwards kind of way.

Thanks guys,

I get stuck sometimes on how things read and not sure what is meant or the literal meaning of what is written. It just sounds strange to me. I think that it could be clearer somehow. (I'm thinking that it says 30 and over and over 50)Maybe:

"not less than 30 amperes or not more than 50 amperes"

Don't Pin and Sleeves lock somehow? why is all the extra wording needed?

[This message has been edited by Bill Addiss (edited 02-02-2002).]

Bill, there are some good pix Here
that show a pin & sleve arangement with the disco which would be required. Note the 'ring' , probably not a good pix (PDF), but it will thread onto the inlet/disco.

Most disco's have a lockout mechanism, i.e.- you need to power it down to take it apart..

I Do agree, the language reads hard, even the next sentence......


......leaves one wondering if pin & sleeve of other ampacities are compliant.



[This message has been edited by sparky (edited 02-02-2002).]

Sparky,

In 555.19(4) it states that there is a 30A minimum. Then in (a) it specifies "not less than 30A" (like you had a choice?) and then talks about Locking and Pin and Sleeve types. Don't Pin and sleeve types lock too? Unless I'm missing something why couldn't they just say it must be a 30A minimum and of a Locking and Grounding type?

Bill

hmm,
the only speculation I can offer is the enclosures , or w/p covers would be needed for the twist locks, but not the pin & sleeves which are 'booted' i.e.-gasketed on thier own.

other than that, similar characteristics prevail....

The CMP may be trying to standardize the connector types used to avoid the use of adapters.

There are non locking pin and sleeve connectors available. I have used them in theater and movie set work.
--
Tom

[This message has been edited by tdhorne (edited 02-03-2002).]

I often wonder why the code is not written in good old plain english. One example is the use of the word Luminaire which seems to always be followed by (fixtures). Cant we just call them fixtures to begin with? If they can update the bible to reflect current language can't we do the same with the NEC?
By the way I tried to use not less than 50 words and not more than 75 words. Translation- between 50 and 75 words!

[This message has been edited by Electricmanscott (edited 02-03-2002).]