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Monday, March 28, 2016
Question:
As I was lying in the dentist's chair last week, I was thinking how nice it would be to be looking up at a flat screen TV rather than spending the hour counting holes in the ceiling tiles. The dental hygienist, unfortunately, was unsympathetic to this excellent suggestion and continued on with her Machiavellian tortures.
This got me to thinking (amidst my suffering) about mounting a flat screen TV flush on the suspended ceiling grid work, and if this is type of installation is addressed anywhere in the codes. I know from reading past CQDs that running a power cord into an above-the-suspended-ceiling duplex receptacle is problematic.
How would one go about doing something like this and still comply with code? Would this be an AHJ-negotiated issue?
John in Milwaukee
A
Answer:
Hey John thanks for your question, I share your pain. First try to convince your dentist to get a more sympathetic hygienist, maybe one you wouldn't mind torturing you, and you could have a drink with later; have the beer that made Milwaukee famous! Second, the hygienist is probably not the one that makes the decisions so approach the dentist; it could be good for business - if they don’t show the political events. You could also see what dentist your AHJ uses and try the same plan there.
A flat screen TV could most likely be mounted to or suspended from the suspended ceiling; or if necessary the structure above it. That is not specifically addressed in the NEC unless the TV instructions prohibited it and then 110.3(B) would apply. The flexible cord is not allowed above the ceiling as stated in 400.8(2) so a receptacle outlet would need to be mounted below the ceiling, possibly on the frame supporting the TV. Good luck, let us know if you are successful and I’ll try it with my dentist.