Quickie answer is SO and SJ are the older and no longer manufactured versions, where as SOOW and SJOOW are the new current types, with improvements in the jacket design for resistance to chemicals, etc...
SOOW is heavy duty, with a thicker jacket, SJOOW is light duty with a thinner jacket.
For theatrical use, SOOW is the version allowed for on-stage use, below 12 ft. above deck level ? (12 or 20, cannot remember) and in lengths over 20ft. Thus typical multi-cables with male and female breakouts and fan outs can use SJOOW as long as the breakout is no longer then 20 ft.. I believe 2-fers are now SOOW as they need to be molded, as per recent UL listing requirements, thus no more 2-fers made with 12/3 SJOOW into a male 2p&G male plug.
SB
This is incorrect. Lex Products' Two-fer Junior, even when of the molded "Y"-style, use 12/3 SJTOW-A cable, and have a UL Listing.... I believe 2-fers are now SOOW as they need to be molded, as per recent UL listing requirements, thus no more 2-fers made with 12/3 SJOOW into a male 2p&G male plug.
SO cable is designed to be coiled and recoiled repeatedly
SJ is Tray Cable and not designed to be coiled and recoiled
This is incorrect. Lex Products' Two-fer Junior, even when of the molded "Y"-style, use 12/3 SJTOW-A cable, and have a UL Listing.
See also this post, and particularly its attachment.
This is incorrect. Lex Products' Two-fer Junior, even when of the molded "Y"-style, use 12/3 SJTOW-A cable, and have a UL Listing.
See also this post, and particularly its attachment.
OK. What you are telling us Steve, is that 2-fers made with 2 pieces of 12/3 SJOOW cable, in a V design, using 2 pieces of cable into the male connector, is still allowed by the NEC. With a length limit of 36", if memory serves ?.
Is it UL listed if purchased new as a pre-assembled unit/device ?, which is a different issue and possibly why one of my suppliers would not sell me (and no longer carries pre-made) V style, but instead is only carrying pre-assembled as molded Y type ?. And is why they carry kits that assemble in a V design, which would be OK as they are not doing the assembly and thus don't care if the user assembles a device not UL listed ?.
As per MRB's comment "There is no exception for height off the deck, length if its a male to female cord, or anything else." Could someone more knowledgeable about the NEC answer/confirm these questions:
- Maximum length allowed for 12/3 SJOOW ?, which I thought was 20 ft in breakout only, not allowed as any single cable length usage ?.
- Maximum 2-fer length of 36 inches when using SJOOW, and/or is it 36" for ANY 2-fer or any construction ?.
- SJOOW only allowed a certain minimum height off stage floor ?, and if so, how does that affect breakouts below that height ?.
Going crazy in Brooklyn here.....
SB
36" max length for SJ and derivatives in adapters and twofers. No length limit on twofers using SO or derivatives. Section 520.69(C)
All other applications require extra hard usage (SO and derivatives). Section 520.68(A)(1).
ST
So.... Are sleeved twofers (fiberglass or plastic) NEC compliant? Have they ever been?
Also, a slightly related question. If one builds a M 60amp to 3 F 20amp adaptor, each 20amp leg needs to be protected. Is there a preferred off-the-shelf product that would be appropriate?
Given appropriate branch circuit protection, is there any way such a 'break-out' could be SJOOW?
See this post, last point.So.... Are sleeved twofers (fiberglass or plastic) NEC compliant? Have they ever been? ...
Not exactly the same thing, but same concept: PowerFLEX™ Cable Assemblies: Stage Pin 100 Amp to 60 Amp Splitter | Lex Products. Note the conspicuous lack of mention of UL on the pdf.
As long as each leg is limited to 3.3' (1m), no problem.
With regard to sleeved twofers, I would reckon no since three wires in a sleeve is not a cord type listed in article 400.
For 60 amp to three 20 amp, yes each 20 amp leg would need to be protected. You can obtain female 20 amp bates that have a fuse inside. This would provide protection and (i think) the short length of 12awg before the fuse would be ok under tap rules. This is not an ideal solution though as you have to take apart the female bates to replace the fuse. Most everyone these days is using a distro with 60 amp in and three 20 amp circuits out. These are available in both lunchbox and flat designs.
Yes your (properly fused) 60 to three 20 adapter could be constructed of SJOOW.
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