T8 fixtures - plug-in or hardwire?

[sammm]

Any reason not to cut the plug off a T8 fixture and hardwire it in? They will be on switches and I could avoid installing a few GFCI plugs/circuits on the ceiling.

 

[Hud]

Thats what I did in my old shop...still like that years later

 

[pentavolvo]

did the same

 

[Berserker]

The plugs make it easy to change out. I think this is common in shops. You don't have to turn the circuit off, and be in the dark. I made a point to have a light from another circuit in my garage for this reason.

Do you have to install GFIs in the ceiling if its for a light? I suppose someone could plug into the other receptacle. You could install a single outlet. If it was my house, since I don't call inspectors, I would not use a GFI in the ceiling if it was for lights.

 

[joeb1934]

i've decided to go the plug in route in my shop. i figure if there is ever any problem, i can just unplug and bring the light down to the ground to repair or replace. i'm not an electrican by any means, so simple is better for me.

 

[sammm]

Thanks for all the replies. I have to get an electrical inspection, so every outlet-circuit in the garage has to be protected by a GFCI.

I'm going to hardwire them....I'll save a few bucks on outlets and bypass the GFCI requirement. Not a big deal to swap them out if/when I need to. 3-wire nuts.

 

[Berserker]

Its not that it is 3 wire nuts, its that you will have to kill the power and the other lights to do it. Not the end of the world, you get a temp light. I went the route of 2 different circuits plus multiple switches.

 

[Cougar]

Its not that it is 3 wire nuts, its that you will have to kill the power and the other lights to do it. Not the end of the world, you get a temp light. I went the route of 2 different circuits plus multiple switches.

Not if you're real careful.
I kill the power.

 

[ratdoggy]

I tried real careful today and it doesn't work pliers hit the live wire and oops...spark....breaker popped and I fell off the ladder ( it was only 1 step but being the ******* I am I twisted my knee

 

[Berserker]

Only thing you have to watch for, if you turn the switch off, besides, someone turning it on, is that the hot didn't go to the light first. I would still not put my tongue on the neutral.

 

[Berserker]

I used to be an electrican, done it many times. Though some times pros get complacent.

 

[sammm]

I have plenty of outlets on other circuits, so I can use a drop-light when I need one. I'd kill the breaker for the lights too. Thanks again to all.

PS
Sorry to hear about the knee ratdoggy.

 

[cowboyjosh]

How often do ya'll have problems with your lights that you need to "kill" power or need to bring the lights down to service? Just hardwire them, its cheaper, and its the right way to go, its what the pro's do.

 

[Berserker]

Just hardwire them, its cheaper, and its the right way to go, its what the pro's do.

I agree it is cheaper. But its not better or worse.

 

[willysrule]

buy good fixtures (not Chinese) and hardwire them...shouldn't have problems for a long time...

a little off-topic but not too far...

another advantage of good fixtures is the fact that the light they produce is better and the bulbs will last wayyyy longer with the better tombstones and ballasts…my basement and garage had cheap T8 fixtures thru out when we moved in…I constantly changed bulbs…Finally broke down and ordered “made in the USA” fixtures from the local electrical supplier that we use at work. switched them all over; I can't believe how much brighter it is with the same bulbs and they last ALOT longer than before…

 

[hidollartoys]

Code requires each ballasted light fixture to have a "local" disconnect. This means, " a way to disconnect any individual fixture for service, at or inside the fixture". All the new fixtures we are now installing have a terminal strip or a pigtail with connector plug inside the light housing.

 

[ratdoggy]

I have plenty of outlets on other circuits, so I can use a drop-light when I need one. I'd kill the breaker for the lights too. Thanks again to all.

PS
Sorry to hear about the knee ratdoggy.

Thanks for the sympathy. Tried doing it easy and as usual my *** has teeth marks, and a nice bruise from the pliers I had in my pocket that I landed on

 

[Berserker]

Code requires each ballasted light fixture to have a "local" disconnect. This means, " a way to disconnect any individual fixture for service, at or inside the fixture". All the new fixtures we are now installing have a terminal strip or a pigtail with connector plug inside the light housing.

When did this start? I have been out of the trades for 10 years.

 

[mrb]

technically you're not using the fixture in a manner consistent with its ul listing (unless the manual shows that you can cut the plug off and hardwire it)

personally I would just buy fixtures designed for hardwire use.

 

[willysrule]

Code requires each ballasted light fixture to have a "local" disconnect. This means, " a way to disconnect any individual fixture for service, at or inside the fixture". All the new fixtures we are now installing have a terminal strip or a pigtail with connector plug inside the light housing.

Once again I'll start by saying I'm not a professional electrician but I know enough to be dangerous... however my old man is a practicing Journeyman Electrician...so I asked him his thoughts on this...

And as always check your local code; some are more stringent than what the NEC calls for...

NEC 410.73(G) calls for fluorescent fixtures with ballasts installed in non-residential to require a local disconnect...

He is not aware of any residential code that requires disconnects for inspection, if NEC calls for residential disconnects please post the specific area of the code that calls for this…so we all know...

Although he’s 99% sure it’s not required in residential settings it would be a very good idea to put the disconnects in, there reasonably priced at around $1 a piece and are much more convenient that wire nuts..the one below is what they use, they are made by Ideal and can be found in many hardware stores..

 

[mrb]

the ballast disconnect requirement came from maintenance guys constantly (seriously - a few a year) getting killed from replacing ballasts live. usually on 277v systems. i dont really see it necessary in residential applications unless required.