Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: derekk, Location: Henrico County, VA
Asked on: Friday, March 18, 2011 at 5:42 pm EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 3:00 am EDT
Question: I have been provided with a spec for a towel warmer manufacturer by a company called Waterworks. This particular model is hardwired and provided with an 8' cord "whip." The instructions say, "Wire set should be pulled through a conduit to a single-pole junction box equipped with either a dimmer switch (which controls heat level) or a standard single-pole illuminated toggle switch."The cord existing the unit is type STOW, which is covered under section 400. I'm having difficulty finding any section of the code that would allow this cord to be pulled through conduit and then terminated in a junction box. Section 400.8(6) prohibits cord from being installed in a raceway except as otherwise permitted. Frankly, even supplying this cord without a plug would seem to violate 400.7(B).There is no section of the code specifically that covers towel warmers, but I think they fall under 422 (appliances). After reading through this section and again through 400, I still can't find anything to allow this. I think the towel warmer should be provided with article 300 complaint wiring, such as a flex & THHN whip, MC cable, etc.Does anyone else have enough experience with this type of device to let me know if I am missing anything? Most of the other wardwired towel warmers I could find information on are meant to be mounted directly to a junction box (unlike this product).Thank you.
Interpretation of the Code
Article 400.8(6)
Prohibits cord from being installed in a raceway unless permitted.
Article 400.7(B)
Requires cord to be terminated with a plug unless specifically permitted otherwise.
Article 422
Covers appliances, including towel warmers. However, it does not specifically address the issue of cord installation in raceways.
Applicability to Towel Warmers
Towel warmers are considered appliances and therefore fall under Article 422. The specific towel warmer in question is hardwired, which does not meet the requirements of Article 400.7(B) for terminating with a plug.
Possible Solutions
Section 400.7(C)
Allows cord to be used as a pigtail in a raceway if it meets certain criteria, including being listed for use in raceways and having a termination suitable for the intended use.
Section 422.15
Permits the use of cord as a supply cord for appliances, but does not explicitly address installation in raceways.
Section 300.15
Requires that conductors installed in a raceway be protected against physical damage, which could be interpreted to allow the use of cord with a protective covering.
Recommendation:
Based on the available information, it is difficult to determine if the use of a STOW cord in this application is explicitly permitted by the NEC. However, there are potential interpretations that could allow it, such as using the cord as a pigtail under Section 400.7(C).To ensure compliance, it is recommended to contact the towel warmer manufacturer for clarification. They may be able to provide additional documentation or guidance on the proper installation methods. Additionally, consulting with a qualified electrician can help determine the best approach for your specific situation. Flag for review