Continuous row fluorescent fixture gotcha!

[jvitez]

I learned something I thought deserves a separate thread (I posted it in a different thread).

I was looking at fluorescent wrap light fixtures at Home Depot. I thought their 2 lamp Lithonia GESB-ballast fixture would do fine for my garage, and were only $22 each. On another forum I came across a Canadian electrician mentioning fixtures spec'd for continuous row mounting vs some that aren't. This got me curious.

The $22 fixture is NOT spec'd for continuous row mounting! It has no knock-out on the metal end plate. HD carries on that does say "suitable for continuous row mounting," but it's a different model, and costs $41 each.

My lighting plan calls for continuous row mounting of 2 lamp T8 fixtures. Now I'm going to have to recalculate. My choices are now:

1. Buy the cheaper fixtures and install a whack of device boxes in the ceiling, one for each fixture.
2. Buy more expensive 2 lamp fixture and wire it as planned.
3. Buy 4 lamp fixtures and redo my lighting plan. They cost $79 each here.

So if you're planning on continuous row mounting of fluorescent fixtures, check the specs! Glad I got lucky before I made an expensive mistake.

 

[Steevo]

Been there, done that!

 

[Fireguy21]

Why can't you buy the cheaper fixtures and make ur own knock outs with a step drill bit?

 

[KenB]

Pass-thru lights' internal wiring needs to carry the load for all lights in the string. Maximum outlets needed for individual lights should be one duplex for every two fixtures.

Ken

 

[jvitez]

Pass-thru lights' internal wiring needs to carry the load for all lights in the string. Maximum outlets needed for individual lights should be one duplex for every two fixtures.

Ken

What he said.

 

[kbs2244]

Could he not just make his own holes to mechanically join them and the run a long common hot and neutral through each fixture with the “local” load “T” ed off it?

 

[rwhite692]

Yup, that's one of the things you get when you buy (pay for) Lithonia commercial grade fixtures.

 

[Highbeam]

pigtails

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Why can't you buy the cheaper fixtures and make ur own knock outs with a step drill bit?

The fixture is not "listed" as a raceway and cannot be used for such. Yes you can make your own knockouts, but if violates the UL listing and as such is forbidden by NEC.

As Aceman noted in another thread, you do not need ceiling boxes, unless the fixture does not allow you to make wire junctions inside the fixture at all (there are some, but not real common). If its OK per the instructions, use a knockout on top, put a 1/2" hole in the ceiling, and run the romex thru the hole and thru the knockout into the fixture. You can use a plastic NM cable clamp in the knockout and stapled the wire in the attic close to the hole in the ceiling.

Just put a few 4x4 junction boxes in the attic and spider your ROMEX from the junction to the fixtures.

Charles

 

[Grumpy365]

The fixture is not "listed" as a raceway and cannot be used for such. Yes you can make your own knockouts, but if violates the UL listing and as such is forbidden by NEC.



Charles

Is it a UL fixture?

yes if it's a UL fixture it has to be installed in accordance with the directions, but as far as I know , NEC doesn't say it has to be a UL listed fixture. And a UL ballast doesn't make it a UL fixture