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Thursday, June 30, 2016

Question:

Appreciate your input,

Does a sump pump cord fall under UL 817 or NEC article 400? I have a standard thermally protected 120V 5.8A 1/4HP sump pump that comes complete with 20ft cord and attachment plug that is to be installed inside an outdoor concrete electrical box (Christy N48 with multiple extensions) and would like to know if it's an NEC violation to 1. Install a GFCI protected (via circuit breaker) WR NEMA 5-20 receptacle inside the N48 box? or 2. Install the cord (with attachment plug) through a 1-1/2in PVC Conduit from the N48 box to a NEMA 3R enclosure with a WR NEMA 5-20 receptacle inside of it?

 Option 1 does not violate 2014 NEC 400.8(6). Does it meet the requirements of 430.109(F) as being portable? I have seen many installations at sewer lift stations in particular that have cord run from the pumps and floats in the wet well through conduit and into the pump controller. Does this violate the NEC?

Thank you for your help. Nick Castillo

A

Answer:

Hey Nick thanks for your question and you are welcome. Both UL 817 (Cord Sets and Power Supply Cords) and NEC Article 400 apply, but UL 817 is for use primarily by the testing laboratory. Portable is not defined in Articles 100, 422 or 430 but one definition is "readily carried" which could apply to a sump pump as the word is used in 430.109(F). Flexible cords are not allowed to be installed in raceways unless permitted by a specific NEC rule as stated in 400.8(6). Flexible cords are allowed in raceways for submersible pumps in Class 1 locations as stated in 501.140(A)(3) if the conditions in 501.140(B) are complied with. The sewer lift station could be classified but the type of flexible cord might not comply with 501.140(B)(1). You can use a GFCI circuit breaker to provide protection for a receptacle but the equipment needs to be suitable for the environment it is installed in.

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