Quick Hits

Episode 5 — Protecting Flexible Cords and Fixture Wire

Covers: 240.5

Hook: Extension cords and lamp cord need overcurrent protection too — just not always a dedicated breaker.

Slide 2: Flexible cord/cable and fixture wire get protected according to their own ampacity tables (Table 400.5(A)(1)/(2) for cord, Table 402.5 for fixture wire), and supplementary overcurrent protection can satisfy that requirement.

Slide 3: When supplied by a branch circuit: cord on a listed appliance or luminaire is considered protected by the listing itself; fixture wire can tap into a branch circuit at specific sizes per amperage (e.g., 18 AWG up to 50 ft on 15/20A circuits, 16 AWG up to 100 ft, 14 AWG and larger for 20-30A, 12 AWG and larger for 40-50A); listed extension cord sets are covered by their own listing; and field-assembled extension cords need 16 AWG or larger on a 20A circuit.

Quiz: How far can 18 AWG fixture wire run when tapped to a 15- or 20-amp branch circuit?
Answer: Up to 50 ft (15m).

CTA: Follow — standard OCPD ampere ratings are next.

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