SEW Motor Protection

They make split conduit, just check the material specifications for the application....

https://www.ionnic.com/electrical/wiring-accessories/conduit/polypropylene-pp-split.html

Does it have to move? If so, you can offer them cable track, like this:

https://www.igus.com/wpck/17556/overview_TriflexR#section_5

An important question is " does the customer expect the cables to be enclosed or open ended. If open the go with the Seal Tite. Diameter large enough to pass the smaller ends through, then mount the seal tite to the frame. If tywraps are acceptable with the customer then go with that.

Thanks for all the info guys

I think the customer simply expects that the NEC is followed.

I cant find any article pertaining to this style of motor cable protection.

Anyone know of an article number?

Thanks

The design of the cable does not permit full enclosure. Therefore reasonable protection should be utilized. You need to take this back to the customer with your thoughts and find out what they truly expect. You may find that reasonable protection may be all they require.

If they push for full protection, then it is the manufacturers responsibility to make this happen and return a working design.

Accept nothing less from the Manufacturer.

Well, the customer says they wont accept anything other then what the NEC says....

However, since i cant find an article directly related and SEW told me to take a hike on this im not sure what on the NEC i can quote

If they argue for full protection i need to be able to say......

yes or no and here is the supporting article for it....

Er, what has it got to do with the motor manufacturer? The electrical installation is not the motor manufacturer's responsibility. It is the installer's responsibility to ensure that the installation is in line with the applicable national electrical installation code, in this case the <...NEC...>.

It has a lot to do with the manufacture.

The motor is deisgned in such a way that you can not practice the standard NEC methods of EMT, rigid, Sealtite ..... etc

I suspect your customer is misreading an NEC code. There are two connectors on that motor, not a threaded coupler for mounting rigid or flexible conduit. The NEC code I can find about conduit is code 430.73 :

430.73 Protection of Conductor from Physical Damage.

Where damage to a motor control circuit would constitute a hazard, all conductors of such a remote motor control circuit that are outside the control device itself shall be installed in a raceway or be otherwise suitably protected from physical damage.

If the voltage and current levels to this motor when exposed cannot present a hazard then physical damage protection is not required by NEC code. If this is not acceptable then you cannot run these cables in a cable tray for a raceway is an enclosed channel.

What is in the cable as far as voltage and current levels? This will dictate which NEC elements apply.

If the existing design meets NEC, than ask SEW for a letter of compliance with NEC and present that to the customer. If the customer wants more, then ask for a specification for the improvement and charge accordingly.

480 about 20A

Then does the flexible cable comply with NEC requirements for a 480V wire run?

What article # specs 480V

Article 400, flexible cords and cables

Are you saying that is a 480 V motor? or the machine runs on 480 V/ 20A?

I use very similar motors and they are low voltage motors, same cabling etc... these motors have a driver card module? and if yes what Voltage feeds these driver cards?

Just curious Thanks!

That doesn't look like a motor capable of handling 10 kilo watts (aka 13 hp) of power.

The NEC section on cord-and-plug connected equipment may be helpful.

Good call

Any chance you know what article that is?

ill do a search also

https://www.sew-eurodrive.it/meta-pages/videoseite_sps_movi_c.html

..."The NEC only applies to premises wiring, not to the supply cords of listed appliances and luminaires."...

http://www.ecmweb.com/qa/code-qa-protection-flexible-cords-and-fixture-wires-0

Define list appliance

This is a motor and to me falls under the motor code

Are the connectors listed? Are engineered cable connectors the same as field wiring?

https://download.sew-eurodrive.com/download/pdf/16838017_G07.pdf

It seems to me these connectors are pre-certified by UL, but all specifications must be followed...

https://download.sew-eurodrive.com/download/pdf/23061715.pdf

If it was an unattached motor, then it would be just a motor. If it was without a motor it would be a non motorized assembly. Kind of like a washing machine, because a motor is mated to a motive assembly. If a washer didn't have a motor it would just be a tub.Once the motor is combined with the assembly, it becomes an appliance.

http://www.ecmweb.com/code-basics/flexible-cords-cables-and-fixture-wire

I would have SEW supply these units with a cable tray rated cable. Problem solved...

i think the cable is rated for tray. But that does solve my problem when the cable leaves the tray.

e.g the few feet from the tray to the motor

As long as the cable is properly supported, it should be ok. At least under the CEC (Canadian code) it would be and our code in Canada is pretty much harmonized in those respects. Call a local inspector and ask.

Scott165,

NEC 400.10(A)(8) says that a flexible cord or cable can be used for..."Appliances where the fastening means and mechanical connections are specifically designed to permit ready removal for maintenance and repair, and the appliance is intended or identified for flexible cord connection." These servo motor connectors certainly meet this article's intent.

If you look on the jacket of the cable, I suspect you will find the code letters identifying it as a flexible cord or cable, such as type SO or others. You will also find a U/L certification. In the SEW literature you will find information that identifies this cable as the one intended for this motor.

Look at NEC 400.12(6) where the cable shall not be installed in a raceway, "except as otherwise permitted in this Code".

Look next at NEC 392.3089(B), which discusses conductors going from cable tray to equipment, and allows up to 6' of length provided it is "protected, by guarding or by location, from physical damage." Note the word guarding, which does not require enclosure in a conduit of any form.

That last suggests that the AHJ (authority having jurisdiction) should be consulted. In a large plant, the AHJ may be the plant engineer. If you have done the work in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions, you should be covered.

I have wired equipment with many servo motors in different locations, many of which were on portions that moved. We used flexible track for the cables when run from fixed to moving sections (or between moving sections) of the machine. Where they ran from track to cable tray, or even to conduits, they were protected by location and by being closely tied to the equipment. There were NO problems with this installation.

--JMM

Thanks for the input, that is great