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Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Question:

Re: CQD answer published February 22 and March 4, 2019 -Flexible Cords

I had really hoped there would be many more comments and info regarding the difference between cable and cord. My personal overly-simplified impression and rule-of-thumb these days is that:

CABLE can be used to connect between components of a system (i.e. robotic arm sections, power supply to powered device, etc) but that only CORD (limited to the insulation types defined in Table 400.4) can touch the floor, and/or connect to bldg power (whether with a plug or hard-wired.)

Perry

A

Answer:

Hey Perry thanks for your comments. Cable, raceway and other wiring methods must be secured and supported based on the specific XXX.30 section of the applicable article. But they are not prohibited from being on or contacting floors, they can actually be secured to and supported by floors.

Flexible cords can be used if necessary, for flexibility - such as portions of robots based on 400.10(9). Some judgment is necessary when determining what is acceptable based on the conditions.

As we previously said, from a simplistic view, cables are in Chapter 3 and flexible cords are in Article 400.

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