1926.405(a)(2): Temporary Wiring
Employers using temporary power and lighting wiring must follow all permanent wiring rules except where this paragraph changes them, and remove it immediately when the job or purpose is done. Feeders must start at a distribution center and branch circuits at a power outlet or panelboard, conductors must be protected by overcurrent devices, open conductors fastened at intervals not exceeding 10 feet (3.05 m), none laid on the floor, and receptacles must be grounding type and grounded.
Key takeaways
- 1926.405(a)(2) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart K).
- OSHA cited it 235 times in the last 3 years, in 214 inspections, with $255,784 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: VA (44), IN (28), NY (22).
- Related part: 1926.405(a) Wiring methods (236 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.405(a)(2) ("Temporary wiring") is one requirement inside 1926.405 Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart K). It includes 13 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(2) Temporary wiring — 235 citations
(i) Scope. The provisions of paragraph (a)(2) of this section apply to temporary electrical power and lighting wiring methods which may be of a class less than would be required for a permanent installation. Except as specifically modified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, all other requirements of this subpart for permanent wiring shall apply to temporary wiring installations. Temporary wiring shall be removed immediately upon completion of construction or the purpose for which the wiring was installed.
(ii) General requirements for temporary wiring. Open (a)(2)(ii) 235 citations
(A) Feeders shall originate in a distribution center. The conductors shall be run as multiconductor cord or cable assemblies or within raceways; or, where not subject to physical damage, they may be run as open conductors on insulators not more than 10 feet (3.05 m) apart. 4 citations
(B) Branch circuits shall originate in a power outlet or panelboard. Conductors shall be run as multiconductor cord or cable assemblies or open conductors, or shall be run in raceways. All conductors shall be protected by overcurrent devices at their ampacity. Runs of open conductors shall be located where the conductors will not be subject to physical damage, and the conductors shall be fastened at intervals not exceeding 10 feet (3.05 m). No branch-circuit conductors shall be laid on the floor. Each branch circuit that supplies receptacles or fixed equipment shall contain a separate equipment grounding conductor if the branch circuit is run as open conductors. Open (a)(2)(ii)(b) 14 citations
(C) Receptacles shall be of the grounding type. Unless installed in a complete metallic raceway, each branch circuit shall contain a separate equipment grounding conductor, and all receptacles shall be electrically connected to the grounding conductor. Receptacles for uses other than temporary lighting shall not be installed on branch circuits which supply temporary lighting. Receptacles shall not be connected to the same ungrounded conductor of multiwire circuits which supply temporary lighting. Open (a)(2)(ii)(c) 23 citations
(D) Disconnecting switches or plug connectors shall be installed to permit the disconnection of all ungrounded conductors of each temporary circuit. 1 citations
(E) All lamps for general illumination shall be protected from accidental contact or breakage. Metal-case sockets shall be grounded. Open (a)(2)(ii)(e) 20 citations
(F) Temporary lights shall not be suspended by their electric cords unless cords and lights are designed for this means of suspension. Open (a)(2)(ii)(f) 20 citations
(G) Portable electric lighting used in wet and/or other conductive locations, as for example, drums, tanks, and vessels, shall be operated at 12 volts or less. However, 120-volt lights may be used if protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter. Open (a)(2)(ii)(g)
(H) A box shall be used wherever a change is made to a raceway system or a cable system which is metal clad or metal sheathed. 2 citations
(I) Flexible cords and cables shall be protected from damage. Sharp corners and projections shall be avoided. Flexible cords and cables may pass through doorways or other pinch points, if protection is provided to avoid damage. Open (a)(2)(ii)(i) 118 citations
(J) Extension cord sets used with portable electric tools and appliances shall be of three-wire type and shall be designed for hard or extra-hard usage. Flexible cords used with temporary and portable lights shall be designed for hard or extra-hard usage. Open (a)(2)(ii)(j) 33 citations
The National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70, in Article 400, Table 400-4, lists various types of flexible cords, some of which are noted as being designed for hard or extra-hard usage. Examples of these types of flexible cords include hard service cord (types S, ST, SO, STO) and junior hard service cord (types SJ, SJO, SJT, SJTO).
(iii) Guarding. For temporary wiring over 600 volts, nominal, fencing, barriers, or other effective means shall be provided to prevent access of other than authorized and qualified personnel.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.405.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.405(a)(2).
At 9:00 a.m. on April 2, 2024, an employee working as a field service technicianfor an electrical contractor was working at a city water plant. The employee wasback feeding a variable frequency drive (VFD) using 480 volts to reform cell capacitors. The work environment had…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 85 |
| 2025 | 77 |
| 2026 | 59 |
Top states: VA (44), IN (28), NY (22), TN (17), NV (12)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SCOTT ELECTRIC COMPANY | GOLIAD, TX | $10,214 |
| ENGLISH CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INCORPORATED | FARMVILLE, VA | $9,635 |
| INNOMOTICS, LLC. | CHICAGO, IL | $9,500 |
| HITT CONTRACTING INC | CHESTERFIELD, VA | $8,715 |
| EMC MECHANICAL SERVICES LLC | CHESTERFIELD, VA | $8,715 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.405(a)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Maximum allowable distance between supports for temporary electrical wiring. (2004-05-13)
- Compliance of type SJTW flexible cords with 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(J) and use on construction sites. (2004-03-29)
- Use of compressed air above 30 p.s.i. for cleaning purposes;nonmetallic-sheathed cable for temporary wiring. (2000-10-04)
- Protection of flexible cords when hung in tunnel shafts. (1991-07-08)
- Temporary lighting strings used on construction sites. (1981-09-16)
- Clarification of temporary vs. portable lighting. (1976-04-06)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.405(a) Wiring methods 236 citations
- 1926.405(a)(2)(ii) General requirements for temporary wiring 235 citations
- 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(I) 118 citations
- 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(J) 33 citations
- 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(C) 23 citations
- 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(E) 20 citations
- 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(F) 20 citations
- 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(B) 14 citations
- 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(G)
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Frequently asked questions
Can branch-circuit conductors be laid on the floor?
No. No branch-circuit conductors shall be laid on the floor.
Do temporary receptacles have to be grounded?
Yes. Receptacles shall be of the grounding type and electrically connected to the grounding conductor.
How often must open conductors be fastened?
At intervals not exceeding 10 feet (3.05 m).
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.405 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-19
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.