North Carolina Department of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal Risk Management State Electrical Division 2017 State Electrical Code 400.12 - Altering Appliance Cords

Notice: The following illustrations are approved by the State Electrical Division of the North Carolina Department of Insurance, Office of State Fire Marshal. These illustrations are intended to demonstrate but not supersede the official written interpretations found at the following web address: http://www.ncdoi.com/OSFM/State_Electrical_Division//Default.aspx?field1=State_Electrical_Code_and_Interpretations Joseph Starling Chief State Electrical Engineer & Inspector Illustrated by: Danny Thomas State Electrical Inspector

Date: June 12, 2018 2017 Electrical Code Subject: Altering Appliance Cords Section 400.12 and 400.13 Question 1: Does the State Electrical Code prohibit a damaged appliance cord from being repaired?

Date: June 12, 2018 2017 Electrical Code Subject: Altering Appliance Cords Section 400.12 and 400.13 Answer 1: No. Section 400.13 allows for the repair of the flexible cord to be made in accordance with section 110.14(B) for wire sizes 14 AWG and larger. Article 400 does not prohibit wire sizes smaller than 14 AWG from being repaired, section 400.13 simply does not provide additional restrictions.

Subject: Altering Appliance Cords Section 400.12 and 400.13 Date: June 12, 2018 2017 Electrical Code Subject: Altering Appliance Cords Section 400.12 and 400.13 Answer 1: Illustration Conductors shall be spliced or joined with splicing devices identified for the use or by brazing, welding, or soldering with a fusible metal or alloy. The repair or splice must comply with Section 110.14(B) for wire sizes 14 AWG and larger. Article 400 does not prohibit wire sizes smaller than 14 AWG from being repaired, section 400.13 simply does not provide additional restrictions. Soldered splices shall first be spliced or joined so as to be mechanically and electrically secure without solder and then be soldered. All splices and joints and the free ends of conductors shall be covered with an insulation equivalent to that of the conductors or with an identified insulating device.

Date: June 12, 2018 2017 Electrical Code Subject: Altering Appliance Cords Section 400.12 and 400.13 Question 2: Can a properly rated and listed attachment plug be installed at any point on an appliance cord?

Date: June 12, 2018 2017 Electrical Code Subject: Altering Appliance Cords Section 400.12 and 400.13 Answer 2: The State Electrical Code does not prohibit the modification of flexible cords by altering the original cord with a new attachment plug. Repairing a flexible cord by cutting the cord on the line side of the damage and installing a properly rated and listed attachment plug has been a common practice in North Carolina for decades. However, there is no requirement that the flexible cords must be damaged prior to performing this type of alteration.

Date: June 12, 2018 2017 Electrical Code Subject: Altering Appliance Cords Section 400.12 and 400.13 Answer 2: Illustration

Date: June 12, 2018 2017 Electrical Code Subject: Altering Appliance Cords Section 400.12 and 400.13 Question 3: Does section 400.12(1) prohibit an appliance cord’s attachment plug from being replaced with a properly rated and listed disconnect switch by considering the cord as a substitute for fixed wiring?

Date: June 12, 2018 2017 Electrical Code Subject: Altering Appliance Cords Section 400.12 and 400.13 Answer 3: No, unless the installation of the flexible cord violates sections 400.12(2) through (7). As an example a pendant light has a flexible cord that is “hard wired” to the structure’s electrical system; however, the light’s flexible cord is not considered a substitute for fixed wiring because the installation of the cord does not violate sections 400.12(2) through (7). Therefore, so long as the appliance cord is installed in accordance with section 400.12(2) through (7), the cord does not violate section 400.12(1). This interpretation does not override the listing or manufacturers' instructions of the appliance that may prohibit modification to the appliance cord in any manner.

Date: June 12, 2018 2017 Electrical Code Subject: Altering Appliance Cords Section 400.12 and 400.13 A “pendant light” has a flexible cord that is “hard wired” to the structures electrical system. Answer 3 Illustration: Pendant Luminaire

Date: June 12, 2018 2017 Electrical Code Subject: Altering Appliance Cords Section 400.12 and 400.13 Question 4: Can a condensate pump be wired to the air handler internal wiring?

Date: June 12, 2018 2017 Electrical Code Subject: Altering Appliance Cords Section 400.12 and 400.13 Answer 4: It depends on the listing and manufacture's instructions of the air handler. Because the air handler is the only equipment in this scenario that is connected to the structure’s electrical system, from the electrical code’s perspective the condensate pump becomes a part of the air handler. In other words, it is an electrical accessory attached and a part of the electrical equipment, similar to the light kit of a ceiling fan. The restrictions for all wiring internally to the air handler is dependent on the listing and manufacturer’s instructions of the air handler.

Acme Gas Furnace AGA Listed CSA Depends on manufacturer whether or not I can remove attachment plug and hardwire the pump to the gas furnace.

The pump would be required to be accessory equipment to the gas furnace for it to be hardwired to the furnace. Therefore installation instructions from the manufacturer would be needed providing this information.