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Posted By: Admin Flex Cord Mis-Use - 01/06/06 03:34 AM
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While there might be some debate as to using SO for a water heater, I think we can all agree that using a light-duty extension cord to power the emergency lights is, well, a little too resourceful!

- renosteinke
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Posted By: iwire Re: Flex Cord Mis-Use - 01/06/06 12:11 PM
SO for a water heater a violation in my opinion of 400.8(1)

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400.8 Uses Not Permitted.
Unless specifically permitted in 400.7, flexible cords and cables shall not be used for the following:

(1)As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure

Cord and Plug connected EBUs allowed within limits.

Part of 700.12(F)
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Flexible cord-and-plug connection shall be permitted, provided that the cord does not exceed 900 mm (3 ft) in length.

The cord looks longer than 3'
Posted By: electure Re: Flex Cord Mis-Use - 01/06/06 02:04 PM
No Code book this morn, but to add to Bob's post, the emergency unit can't be cord connected if it is a REQUIRED emergency light for means of egress.
If it's just for your convenience, you can connect them with 3' cords until the cows come home.
Posted By: Trumpy Re: Flex Cord Mis-Use - 01/07/06 09:23 AM
Bob and Scott,
Coming from a place like I do, we are required to wire any sort of Emergency lighting into a permanent supply.
That means hard wired, with no cords.
The wires would enter through the back of the fitting.
It also prevents someone from in advertantly disconnecting your Em lighting system.
Posted By: Trumpy Re: Flex Cord Mis-Use - 01/07/06 09:28 AM
Oh and by the way guys, is it a requirement to have a disconnect "within sight" while working on that Cylinder?.
Over here you must have an adjacent isolator at the Hot water cylinder.
BTW, that cord used on that cylinder looks far too DIY for my liking.
Posted By: iwire Re: Flex Cord Mis-Use - 01/07/06 10:01 AM
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the emergency unit can't be cord connected if it is a REQUIRED emergency light for means of egress.

Not that I have ever cord and plug connected an emergency light but it is allowed by the NEC to do that with even required emergency lights. The article I quoted is 700 which covers the required emergency lighting.

That aside I would have no trouble believing another code prohibits it. It seems like a poor practice.

Here in MA they have deleted the sentence from 700.12(F) that allows cord and plug connection. [Linked Image]

Bob
Posted By: Check Pilot Re: Flex Cord Mis-Use - 01/07/06 11:08 PM
At least the SO isn't embedded in drywall mud like it was in my house. BTW I found a whole bunch more of that wiring "method" behind a couple of more fixtures in the basement.

I'm now in the process of removing ALL the new drywall that these twits put up so I can rewire the whole basement.
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