wire nuts and extensions

[BurtEggley]

in a florescent to direct wire led conversion, can one extend the tombstone wires with a wire nut if needed?

If so, does the wire need to be the same gauge as the tombstone wire, or the same gauge as the incoming romex wire?

 

[strength_and_power]

I’m not an electrician but I’d guess either would be fine and would come down to which one you have on hand.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

YES! You can use wire nuts to extend the wires…….. #14 or 12 gauge wires would never fit into a tombstone.

TIP! I would suggest adding an inline fuse on each fixture………. Simple protection and easy to do right now while rewiring each fixture.

 

[kbuhagiar]

YES! You can use wire nuts to extend the wires…….. #14 or 12 gauge wires would never fit into a tombstone.

TIP! I would suggest adding an inline fuse on each fixture………. Simple protection and easy to do right now while rewiring each fixture.

I'm all for safety and such, but...

If it's such a great idea, why aren't all new B-type tube fixtures fused?
I've purchased twenty-four new B-type tube fixtures, in three different configurations (1x4ft, 2x4ft, & 4x4ft) from two different manufacturers and none of them were fused, nor did the instructions mention anything about adding separate fuses.

 

[Innovate1]

in a florescent to direct wire led conversion, can one extend the tombstone wires with a wire nut if needed?

If so, does the wire need to be the same gauge as the tombstone wire, or the same gauge as the incoming romex wire?

I used some of the smaller gauge wire to the tombstones. I found there is often enough wire in the fixture when bypassing the ballast. Just need some smaller wire nuts for the smaller wire.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

I'm all for safety and such, but...

If it's such a great idea, why aren't all new B-type tube fixtures fused?
I've purchased twenty-four new B-type tube fixtures, in three different configurations (1x4ft, 2x4ft, & 4x4ft) from two different manufacturers and none of them were fused, nor did the instructions mention anything about adding separate fuses.

I was referring to a LED conversion NOT a new "factory manufacture/designed" fixture that was tested and approved by a testing agency PLUS fusing each fixture individually would not hurt.

As far as the LED conversion goes it is MINIMUM standards.……. I always improve on anything that I feel is a minimal design. Fuses (properly sized) are and always have been the best protection.

BTW! Just my opinion with years of experience in the trade and nobody listens to me so do what you feel is right. Wanna do your job to the NEC (or any code) that is "cool with me" but remember that codes are minimal standards and if you can always exceed the code.

 

[dscheidt]

in a florescent to direct wire led conversion, can one extend the tombstone wires with a wire nut if needed?

If so, does the wire need to be the same gauge as the tombstone wire, or the same gauge as the incoming romex wire?

I'm pretty sure that code would require you to use the same gauge as the building's wire, and not the light's because the thinner wire is allowed becuase it's part of an assembly listed for that use. As a practical matter, though, either would work fine, and I've seen lots of fixtures where the wiring inside was extended using wire cut off a ballast. not just in LED conversions, but also where a ballast was replaced.

 

[dave*99]

I'm pretty sure that code would require you to use the same gauge as the building's wire, and not the light's because the thinner wire is allowed becuase it's part of an assembly listed for that use. As a practical matter, though, either would work fine, and I've seen lots of fixtures where the wiring inside was extended using wire cut off a ballast. not just in LED conversions, but also where a ballast was replaced.

Why? The ballast that was removed had the same small gauge wire on its line voltage input.

 

[BurtEggley]

I called my electrician. He said it doesn't matter whether I use the gauge of the tombstone, or the gauge of the cord that plugs them in on six of them and romex on the last two in my office and bedroom. I asked if THHN of the same gauge would work and he said fine. All done, fuses installed (per GE's install sheet incase come idiot uses a regular T8 bulb in it someday, and every thing working perfectly.