L6-20P -> L6-30R

Wed Mar 19 17:18:19 UTC 2014

---- Original Message -----
> From: "William Herrin" <bill at herrin.us>

> On Wed, Mar 19, 2014 at 11:22 AM, Lamar Owen <lowen at pari.edu> wrote:
> > Just replacing an L6-20P with an L6-30P on a 20A-listed PDU would be unsafe
> > and (IMO) unwise, since the breaker in the input of the PDU does not protect
> > the flexible cord's conductors from internal overcurrent faults.
> 
> Yet an 18 awg PC power cable is perfectly safe when plugged in to a
> 5-20R on a circuit with a 20 amp breaker. Get real man.

A PC isn't a power distribution device.

> You got two things right:
> 
> The NEC (and related fire codes) don't apply to supply cords of
> appliances in circumstances such as OP's PDU.

A PDU is *not* an appliance.

> The modification cancels the UL certification. If you have an external
> requirement to use only UL certified components then you can't make
> any modifications no matter how obviously safe they are.

UL doesn't "certify" items.  It "lists" them.

It does so *specifically on behalf of* fire insurors.

> By the way, you either don't have that requirement or you're breaking
> it. Your custom network cables are not UL certified.

Network cables don't carry power.

Generally, Bill, you're one of the Smart People here.

But what Lamar says accords with my (limited) formal electrical training,
and what you say does not.

Cheers,
-- jra
-- 
Jay R. Ashworth                  Baylink                       jra at baylink.com
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