National Electrical Installation Standards

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Friday, May 5, 2017

Question:

Hello, 2017 NEC Section 400.12 mentions power supply cords with flexible cables. What is the difference between the two? How does UL 62 & UL 817 factor in?

Thank you, John Bayduss

A

Answer:

Hey John thanks for your question. There was some debate whether flexible cords used as power supply cords to equipment needed to comply with the rules in Article 400 (such as being prohibited above ceilings) or whether they were only covered under the equipment product standards they were evaluated to. It is now very clear in the NEC that the answer is yes they need to comply by the additional wording "flexible cord sets and power supply cords" in 400.12.  UL 817 is the product standard for cord sets and power supply cords that are manufactured to UL 62, the product standard for flexible cords and cables as stated in the Informational Note to 400.1

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