OSHA Temporary Electrical Power

[sjmgd997]

I had looked through OSHA to see if there were rules on the amount of distance from a load center to the equipment (such as a portable tool) it is supplying.

In essence, the temporary power I need is power for equipment like concrete vibrators and the like. The width of my building is about 170 feet.

One electrician I spoke with told me that the distance is 50 feet but I do not know if OSHA is the place where such distance limitations are found or not.

I looked in OSHA 1910 but could not find anything under the section on wiring methods.

 

[dpc]

See Article 590 in the National Electrical Code. If you can't find a specific reference there, the installation must meet the requirements for a permanent installation.

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=9911&p_table=STANDARDS

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/cords.html

You sure don't want to run 170 feet of extension cord. You'll need a load center closer to the work, just to keep the voltage drop within reason. Or get a portable generator, if all you are using are concrete vibrators.

There are a lot of OSHA requirements regarding extension cords and inspectors will be looking since they cause a lot of accidents.

You can always ask OSHA if you have specific questions. Better to ask ahead of time.

David Castor

http://www.cvoes.com