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Monday, May 22, 2017

Question:

Is it legal to run SO cord in a Power Pole ? Power Pole brings power and data from open ceiling at a Big Box Store.....we are using SO cord because manager wants flexibility to move registers in the future. SO cord has plugs at both ends and connects to a twist lock receptacle.

Don Nelson

A

Answer:

Hey Don thanks for your question. The term "power pole" (or power-data, tele-power, etc.) is often used for a product that is listed as a multioutlet assembly which is covered by Article 380. You can check the label on the product to determine what is was listed to and use the instructions provided as stated in 110.3(B). .

The following statement appears in UL Product Spec at: http://productspec.ul.com/document.php?id=PVGT.GuideInfo

"Multioutlet assemblies are intended to be connected to permanently installed branch circuits operating at..."

Flexible cords can be used for various purposes as determined by reviewing 400.10 and 400.12. It seems that using flexible cords in the "power pole" would not comply with 400.12(1) and 400.12((6).

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