Can I hard wire T8 light fixtures?

[Scooter70]

I'm getting ready to start wiring in the lighting for my new garage. I plan to use T8 fixtures from Home Depot/Lowes/Menards. I had them in the last garage and had good luck with them. They typically come wired with 3-pring plugs. Can I just remove the cord and wire them directly in? Can I mount them directly to the ceiling or do they need to hang down with the chains? It would look cleaner and save some expense in having to put a bunch of outlets in the ceiling.

Thanks.
-Matt

 

[RCman]

Yes, perfectly acceptable and probably preferred.

 

[Scooter70]

14/2 wire is sufficient?

 

[fnieto]

Of course you can hard wire them in. I preferred to plug my fixtures in, but they hang on chain kits so it made sense to plug them in. Also for quick take down (maintenance/repair).
If I had limited ceiling hight, I would have flush mounted and hard wired too.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Read the instructions with the lights. Most likely they must be hung from the chains for cooling reasons. Most cheap fixtures generate too much heat to be hard mounted to the ceiling. They come with a cord because they are chain hung. Probably violates the UL listing to modify the fixture.

Charles

 

[pattenp]

Charles is correct. Corded fixtures are not manufactured and UL listed to be hardwired. You should use proper fixtures that can be surface mounted and hardwired.

 

[RCman]

Read the instructions with the lights. Most likely they must be hung from the chains for cooling reasons. Most cheap fixtures generate too much heat to be hard mounted to the ceiling. They come with a cord because they are chain hung. Probably violates the UL listing to modify the fixture.

Charles

You make a good point. I never considered that as most of those boxes say "chain mount only". I assumed he was using the correct fixtures for his application as some surface mounts also come with plugs/cords.

 

[Scooter70]

Thanks for the info everyone. I _was_ thinking about the chain mount ones as I wasn't sure that there was a difference. However now that I know that there is a difference I'll be sure to shop for the surface mount.

-Matt

 

[fnieto]

Scotter70,

I apologize for giving you bad advise, I missed the part of your post that stated the fixtures came with cord cap (plug). The fixtures I used came with a chain kit but required the purchase of corded plugs. The instructions showed both mounting options (hard wired of plugs). Again, sorry for the bad advice.

 

[Bib Overalls]

Lowe's and Home Depot sell T8 fixtures that are designed to be directly mounted to the ceiling. They do not have any chains and come set up for hard wiring. They are a tad more expensive than "shop lights" and worth it.

14/2 will support 15 amps of load. 12/2 will support 20 amps of load. Size the wire to your lighting load and keep it all on one or two breakers. Do not run lights and outlets on the same circuit. If you do, an overload at the chop saw ir drill press could put you in the dark.

You can wire them up without grounds but I don't recommend that. Use 14/2/wg or 12/2/wg.

 

[wkearney99]

The upside to the chain hung ones is the sway in the chain. That way went you lift something too high and tap the light it'll swing a bit, often just enough to save you from cleaning a bunch of glass and dust off yourself and the floor...