In our world, many venues have installed lighting systems consisting of raceways, installed dimmers, and hard wired
power. The lighitng
system is a part of the building. Some venues have ran
socapex cable through the building, brought in a touring 96 rack, and made that their lighting
system. At any
point the entire lighting
system could be removed in a day or two. Some venues have a mixture of both.
So, my question to the CB world is: At what
point does a
portable lighting
system become a permanent one? At what
point are you in violation of code? If you are the
production electrician for a Broadway show that is going to have a 10 year run, what do you need to take into account in order to be code compliant? Could that show use a touring 96 rack connected to cams and
socapex cable and still be code compliant?
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First let's take a look at the
NEC definition of "
portable" from Article 520:
Portable Equipment. Equipment
fed with
portable cords or cables intended to be moved from one place to another.
The
NEC acknowledges that some theatres (notably Broadway theatres) are buildings designed for use with
only portable equipment (the "four wall" model). In such theatres there is no
practical limit to the time a
portable system can be used, since there is nothing
but a
portable system.
The
NEC is silent on time limits for
portable systems. Providing the
system is installed in a code-compliant manner, most
AHJ's will accept unlimited installation time.
Now let's look at where
portable cord use is permitted and not permitted:
400.7 Uses Permitted.
(A) Uses. Flexible cords and cables shall be used only for the following:
(1) Pendants
(2) Wiring of luminaires
(3) Connection of
portable luminaires,
portable and mobile signs, or appliances
(4) Elevator cables
(5) Wiring of cranes and hoists
(6) Connection of utilization equipment to facilitate frequent interchange
(7) Prevention of the transmission of noise or vibration
(8) Appliances where the fastening means and mechanical connections are specifically designed to permit ready removal for maintenance and repair, and the appliance is intended or
identified for flexible
cord connection
(9) Connection of moving parts
(10)
Where specifically permitted elsewhere in this Code
Point 10 means "Article 520 venues" in our case.
400.8 Uses Not Permitted.
Unless specifically permitted in 400.7, flexible cords and cables shall not be used for the following:
(1)
As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure
(2) Where run through holes in walls, structural ceilings, suspended ceilings, dropped ceilings, or floors
(3) Where run through doorways, windows, or similar openings
(4) Where attached to building surfaces
Exception to (4): Flexible
cord and cable shall be permitted to be attached to building surfaces in accordance with the provisions of 368.56(B)
(5) Where concealed by walls, floors, or ceilings or located above suspended or dropped ceilings
(6) Where installed in raceways, except as otherwise permitted in this Code
(7) Where subject to physical damage
Point 1 above might provide an
AHJ a reason to require permanent wiring, unless the
theatre was specifically intended to utilize only
portable equipment. In such a case, the only permanent wiring might be the feed to a
Company Switch, and circuits connected to
FOH positions through a
Road Show Connection Panel in order to comply with (2) above.
Bottom
line: I do not think an
AHJ could or would require permanent wiring if a
portable system complies with
NEC requirements.
ST