Temporary Wiring - Lighting, Changes, & Cords

All lamps for general lighting must be protected from accidental contact or breakage. Metal-case sockets must be grounded. Temporary lights cannot be hung by their electric cords unless the cords and lights are designed for this type of suspension. Portable electric lighting used in wet or other conductive location, such as drums, tanks, and vessels, cannot be operated at more than 12 volts. However, 120-volt lights can be used if protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.

A box must be used wherever a change is made to a raceway system or a cable system that is metal-clad or metal-sheathed.

Flexible cords and cables must be protected from damage. Sharp corners and projections must be avoided. Flexible cords and cables can pass through doorways or other pinch points only if protection is provided to avoid damage. Extension cord sets used with portable electric tools and appliances must be the three-wire type and must be designed for hard or extra-hard use. Flexible cords used for temporary lights must be designed for hard or extra-hard use.

The National Electrical Code outlined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) lists various types of flexible cords designed for hard and extra-hard use.

Fencing or other barriers must prevent access to temporary wiring over 600 volts, nominal, by anyone other than authorized or qualified personnel.

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