Hi Gary, As Greg noted, there are specific length limits in the U.S. for information technology equipment based on NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code. There are different length limits for other types of products in NFPA 70.
* Range hoods, in-sink food disposals and some other fixed kitchen appliances must have cords 450 - 900 mm in length. * Countertop kitchen appliances have a very short limit for the cord. The intent is to keep them away from sources of water and to make it less likely that they will be used in locations other than the kitchen counter. * ITE cord length is intended to reduce the risk of the use of extension cords with the minimum, but to also reduce the risk of running cords across a room with the maximum length. The ITE cord length minimum of 1.5 meters is also to ensure that table-top or desk-top ITE does not need an extension cord to reach an outlet near the floor. * Vacuum cleaners and similar appliances will be allowed much longer cords and will have a far greater minimum limit. The question comes down to what "instruments" are classified as. That will determine where they fall under NFPA 70 and what the cord requirements might be. Ted Eckert Microsoft Corporation The opinions experessed are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer or the NFPA. From: Greg McClure <greg.mccl...@lexmark.com> Sent: Wednesday, September 9, 2020 9:01 AM To: EMC-PSTC@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [PSES] Question - not EMC Gary, It may depend on which standard you are using to certify your product. Here are 3 references from an investigation I performed in 2014: 1. UL 60950-1, Annex NAE, Clause 3.2.5, Cord-connected equipment - "The length of a power supply cord shall not exceed 4.5 m (14.76 ft)" [NEC 400.8, 645.5(B)] 2. UL 60950-1, Annex NAE, Clause 3.2.5, Cord-connected equipment - "The minimum length of a power supply cord shall be 1.5 m unless it is intended for a special installation, such as dedicated equipment intended to be mounted near a receptacle. ..." [NEC 210] 3. US National Electrical Code Handbook 2008 Section 210.52 - "Receptacles are required to be located so that no point in any wall space is more than 6 ft (1.83 m) from a receptacle. This rule intends that an appliance or lamp with a flexible cord attached may be placed anywhere in the room near a wall and be within 6 ft (1.83 m) of a receptacle, thus eliminating the need for extension cords. ..." (emphasis added) Gregory H. McClure Lexmark Product Safety Product Safety Team Lead 859-232-3240 office From: Darnel, Gary <gary.dar...@thermofisher.com<mailto:gary.dar...@thermofisher.com>> Sent: Wednesday, September 9, 2020 11:51 AM To: EMC-PSTC@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG<mailto:EMC-PSTC@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG> Subject: [PSES] Question - not EMC I have a general question, I hope someone here knows the history on it. Is there is a length restriction on power cords for instruments? I am not referring to extension cords. But either hard connected cord, or the the removeable C13/C14 style cords? If so, what is it, and why is it? Discounting the EMC issues, what, if any, is the safety issue with a long power cord? Which standards spell out this length? What testing or rationale supports this? Many thanks, Regards, Gary Gary Darnel, P.Eng. Senior R&D Engineer Laboratory Automation - ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. 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