wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Yes the plug needs to be rated for 5HP.
soow vs. romex (240v outlet)
- Thread starter jengland
- Start date
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
The reason people suggest hardwiring is that receptacles cost a lot:
https://www.zoro.com/hubbell-wiring...ceptacle-30a-5-hp-blue-hbls330r6w/i/G2481337/
....and you must have the matching plug
Personal shop or not you should wire it to Code.
Walkers
Well-known member
write a note for yourself, 'Next time Start with pictures'. It would have saved you buying the wrong stuff twice. I wouldn't have any issue hard wiring a piece of equipment that big. It is not likely to be moved around at all once settled.
Cruzan80
Well-known member
I am well aware of how much they cost. Hence why I was asking about what made something "portable" and requiring a plug vs the direct wire "stationary". I understand direct-wiring is much easier, since it doesn't require such expensive plugs. What I wasn't aware or unsure of is when something could change from one to the other, since this is heavier than most of the compressors people seem to continually suggest direct-wiring. Would using/accepting MC cable be a better alternative to SOOW?
Regarding wiring it to code... the motor has a separate starter, so when "off", it is only powering a low-voltage transformer. And the plug is a locking plug in the ceiling, so highly doubtful I would pull the plug when on. If needed, the breaker box is only about 10-15ft away to kill power to the entire circuit. The receptacle/plug/wiring is rated above the motor amperage, just not the HP. From my understanding, the reason for HP ratings is due to disconnection while under a heavy load, and the risks associated with that, correct?
The former owners (cabinet shop) had it built-in to a long bench, so does that change it from "portable" to "stationary"?
i did think about doing that...but i didn't want a long, snake-of-an-extension cord all over the garage floor. i thought it might be something to trip over while working so i decided that a neatly installed outlet on the wall would be more organized and then a shorter extension cord if i needed it. thanks.
rabidsquirrel
Well-known member
Oh my... The only right thing about this is all the supports on the pvc...
Have to agree, it's a cluster.
SlappyWhite
Well-known member
Extremely hack, an outlet just under the panel using the proper wire would have solved everything and would have been dirt cheap. Lots of ways to tuck the extension cord along that wall without doing it entirely wrong afterwards.
It looks almost like someone went out of their way to do it entirely wrong with all the wrong materials! Please go back and do it correctly.
It looks almost like someone went out of their way to do it entirely wrong with all the wrong materials! Please go back and do it correctly.
Pretty much sums it up.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
umm those are mineral clamps used for EMT, and IMC. not the right clamp for the plumbing pvc
Obviously should have used J hooks.
Also make should it's sloped 1/4" per foot so the electricity drains when you're done using it. Would make for a nasty shock if it doesn't drain.
SlappyWhite
Well-known member
How many farads do you think a set-up like that has?
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
1.21 gigawatts
rabidsquirrel
Well-known member
Didn't say that they were right, just that for once PVC was adequately supported with regards to spacing.
mark-NJ
Well-known member
I did use the extra SOOW wiring I had left over to make a 240v extension cord.
Not to muddy the waters further, but that is a code violation. Boxes with knockouts cannot be used on rubber cord in this fashion. NEC article 314.23 details how these boxes are to be (permanently, rigidly) mounted only.
pattenp
Well-known member
Mark, you are mis-applying the NEC. The NEC covers permanent wiring not the makeup of extension cords.
mark-NJ
Well-known member
Having been on the receiving end of several different AHJ's interpretation more than once, I think you and I are going to have to agree to disagree on that.
I've had jobsites shut down because of "1900-box (and the like) extension cords". These metal boxes are intended by their UL file for "permanent installation" and any use other than that usually doesn't pass muster with AHJs.
Now it may have been a "urination contest" between the local IBEW and the Chicago AHJs, but I once worked a tradeshow at McCormick, and the AHJ's refused to let the exhibitors use any of the McCormick-supplied "extension cords" (thousands & thousands of 1900-boxs + SO cord). Same issue: they're for permanent installation only. Yes, at the time there was an underlying tension between the AHJs & McCormick & the IBEW, but still: the AHJ was "looking for something", and this was low-hanging fruit.
Are these boxes used this way all the time? Sure. Do >95% of AHJs care? no. Do they look the other way? Often. But is it "allowed" based on the UL file? Nope.
I've had jobsites shut down because of "1900-box (and the like) extension cords". These metal boxes are intended by their UL file for "permanent installation" and any use other than that usually doesn't pass muster with AHJs.
Now it may have been a "urination contest" between the local IBEW and the Chicago AHJs, but I once worked a tradeshow at McCormick, and the AHJ's refused to let the exhibitors use any of the McCormick-supplied "extension cords" (thousands & thousands of 1900-boxs + SO cord). Same issue: they're for permanent installation only. Yes, at the time there was an underlying tension between the AHJs & McCormick & the IBEW, but still: the AHJ was "looking for something", and this was low-hanging fruit.
Are these boxes used this way all the time? Sure. Do >95% of AHJs care? no. Do they look the other way? Often. But is it "allowed" based on the UL file? Nope.
pattenp
Well-known member
Mark, your point is well taken. Under NEC 240.5(4) the listed components is the catch. So technically the made up cord pictured above is not NEC compliant. Live and learn.
I understand in a public use area such as a trade show or job site that all safety requirements are enforced.
I understand in a public use area such as a trade show or job site that all safety requirements are enforced.
mark-NJ
Well-known member
To me, 110.3(b) is the overriding catch-all: "Listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling". The implications of that simple phrase is the cornerstone of NFPA70 and oversees the whole enchilada...
Here's the other thing: OSHA doesn't dig it, either. While I can't cite the code, the 4 biggest takeaways are 1.) the knockouts get kicked in which puts them close to live components, 2.) the knockouts get knocked out, exposing live components, and 3.) anecdoctally, it's found that most people run the grounding conductor (green) to the outlet's yoke, but don't bond the box. Relying on the yoke isn't code. and 4.), coupled with #3, being unsupported, to plug something in, you typically have to hold the box in one hand while plugging the device in with the other, greatly increasing the chances for electric shock.
(I read that on line somewhere in a publication by an OSHA engineer....can't remember where though)
Here's the other thing: OSHA doesn't dig it, either. While I can't cite the code, the 4 biggest takeaways are 1.) the knockouts get kicked in which puts them close to live components, 2.) the knockouts get knocked out, exposing live components, and 3.) anecdoctally, it's found that most people run the grounding conductor (green) to the outlet's yoke, but don't bond the box. Relying on the yoke isn't code. and 4.), coupled with #3, being unsupported, to plug something in, you typically have to hold the box in one hand while plugging the device in with the other, greatly increasing the chances for electric shock.
(I read that on line somewhere in a publication by an OSHA engineer....can't remember where though)
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wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
yeah so a better solution is a receptacle in its own housing which are sold at the big box stores. though some may flag even that since these are used as surface mount receptacles...
(side note- home depot's description of it being a range and dryer outlet is incorrect. dryers don't use 50a circuits and stoves need either a 10-50 or 14-50...)
ELEGRP 50 Amp 250-Volt, NEMA 6-50R Surface Mount Power Outlet, Single Straight Blade Range and Dryer Outlet Grounding, Black 2202 - The Home Depot
Get a best addition to your electrical application with this ELEGRP NEMA Surface Mount Power Outlet Single Straight Blade Range and Dryer Outlet Grounding Black.
www.homedepot.com