Appropriate surge protection for classroom computer cart

[hjacobson_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 8/4/2008

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My search pulled up nothing, so:

Our local fire department says our new school building cannot receive an occupancy certificate until we replace the electrical connection for the computer carts.

Currently the carts use a 14/3 25' extension cord from the wall outlet to a cart-mounted APC Surge Protector. Hardware is plugged into the APC Surge Protector.

The Fire Dept Inspector says a Surge Protector with an integral 25' extension cord would be acceptable. APC does not provide such a product.

What to do?

Thank you,
Harry Jacobson

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 8/4/2008

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Harry,

The simplest setup here would be to nix the Surge Protectors on the cart and install a PanelMount Surge at the main service entry for the building. That'll be your 1 point of surge protection for the entire facility, eliminating the need for a seperate strip downstream.

After that, the 25' cord has nothing to do with the functionality of any APC equipment since the PMP is installed, therefore, it would be a discussion between the facility and the fire dept.

[KVAr_apc · Accepted solution]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 8/8/2008

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hjacobson wrote:
My search pulled up nothing, so:

Our local fire department says our new school building cannot receive an occupancy certificate until we replace the electrical connection for the computer carts.

Currently the carts use a 14/3 25' extension cord from the wall outlet to a cart-mounted APC Surge Protector. Hardware is plugged into the APC Surge Protector.

The Fire Dept Inspector says a Surge Protector with an integral 25' extension cord would be acceptable. APC does not provide such a product.

What to do?

Thank you,
Harry Jacobson

What exact did the fire inspector say was in a violation? I think the thing you're talking about is a power strip that is fairly common in schools for the carts they use with overhead projectors. which is a power strip with two or three outlets with a cord coming out that is 25' in length... instead of using a strip with a short cord + an extension cord.

That said, something like this might suite your need? and if you're concerned, you can use a surge protector on the cart downstream.
http://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-TLM825GF-Safety-Yellow/dp/B000WJEUX2