Electrical Outlet Box

[safe]

According to OSHA, power strips/surge-noise protective strips are generally referred to as temporary power taps. If the temporary power taps are being used to provide transient voltage surge protection, then these devices would meet the OSHA standards. If the temporary power taps are being used solely as a wiring to provide extra or more convienent outlets then this is a violation.

I have discovered in our facility that surge-noise protective strips are used in some cases. For example, an equipment cord is not long enough to reach to a permanent oulet. Therefore a power strip has been added so that it plugs into the permanent outlet and the equipment cord plugs into the power strip. I believe that this is a means of providing more convienent outlets as stated above.

Is it acceptable to fabricate a cord set with a plug at one end and a box with outlets at the other end? We would then plug this cord set into the permanent outlet and then plug equipment into the box end outlets.

 

[Allangator]

The short answer is no. OSHA 19190.035(g) is the reference that explains what you can do with flexible cords. Flexible cords may not be used as a substitute for fixed wiring. I've spent a good part of my career pulling these things and putting in work orders for permanent electrical outlets.

Allan Preston
Coordinator, Risk Management
University of Florida Physical Plant Division

 

[conduit]

I believe that you would be in violation of the electrical codes if you do that. Permanent wiring has to be provided for equipment. The wiring has to be protected by conduit and the installation has to be permanent.

You may use flexible cords only when it is impossible to use the conventional conduit. The cord, however, has to meet certain standards. You can find them in the electrical codes.