Correct wire to connect LED under cabinet lights?

[Zippercat]

Need to install 6 under cabinet LED light fixtures (very thin metal and plastic boxes…not low voltage pucks). Three draw 6.7 watts, three draw 14.4 watts. Designed to have first one hard wired and then up to 10 fixtures can be strung together using proprietary interconnect cables.

Manufacturer’s website was fuzzy about whether the interconnect cables were included. They weren’t. And it appears the manufacturer and every supply house I can check online says they are out of stock for at least 6 more weeks.

Would 16 ga lamp cord, such as the one linked below, be appropriate to use as wire between these fixtures? The fixtures do come with the clamp and knockout to hard wire them. I’d surface mount the lamp cord, just as the interconnect cables would be mounted.

Southwire 100 ft. 16/2 White Stranded CU SPT-2 Lamp Wire 55682102 - The Home Depot

Provide the best and essential upgrade to your electrical application with the addition of this Southwire White Stranded CU SPT Lamp Wire.

www.homedepot.com

 

[Terry D]

If this is for 120 volt, then no, you can not use lamp cord. I use a MC cable if going to fixture to fixture. If the fixtures are meant to be hardwired, they should come with the connectors for this. But some will not have a knock out on the side, they are just meant for the interconnect cables. Just a bit of advice, I know it is hard to do with the walls and cabinets up to run the wire, but having only one wire per fixture can be a blessing. Some of those fixture barley have enough room for one wire

 

[Terry D]

What is the brand/model of the fixture

 

[mikedodge]

No reason why you can't. It's not the 120 side and lamp cable is better then the interconnecting cables they usually use. You don't need very thick gauge cable for it.

 

[Terry D]

No reason why you can't. It's not the 120 side and lamp cable is better then the interconnecting cables they usually use. You don't need very thick gauge cable for it.

I believe the interconnect cables see the line voltage

 

[mikedodge]

I believe the interconnect cables see the line voltage

I Guess we need to know what the interconnect cables are supposed to be. It's probably some finished looking wire. More importantly is those cables being "proprietary" because it probably has its UL listing or however it's listed with the proper cable.

 

[loganb]

Link the lights in question so we can see them

 

[rburke65]

And the voltage is….?

 

[Zippercat]

Thanks for all the replies. Some comments and answers to your questions:

Voltage: 120 volt

Knockouts and connectors for them: the fixtures include a small cable clamp and plastic piece with knockouts to replace a solid piece on the side; inside the fixture are the push in Wago-type connectors. It is a tight space!

MC cable: seems like hunting ducks with a tank in this situation

Link to interconnect cable: https://www.afxinc.com/products/productDetail.cfm?productID=1114

Link to fixture: https://www.afxinc.com/products/productDetail.cfm?productID=586

Goal: to switch all the Undercabinet lights with one wall switch, located on the backsplash.

 

[mikedodge]

You probably need the cable from the manufacturer to go from fixture to fixture. It doesn't seem to say anything about using something different.

It does specifically say to use the plug in cord or Flexible conduit BX (AC) to hardwire the first. It doesn't seem to say anything about doing that to the rest of them. If all the fixtures have the same knockout cover you probably could but it would look rather ugly.

 

[Terry D]

It says about additional knockouts on the top and back. Doesn't say sides. To link these together, other than using the interconnect cables, you would have to come out of the back. That means you would not be able to mount these all the way to the rear of the under cabinet. That would be crazy, plus some of those wiring compartments are small. The 9 inch model says you have to buy a separate box to hardwire it. My advice would be to get the interconnect cables, because they just plug in. Or get a different brand where you can get the cables sooner

 

[Zippercat]

It says about additional knockouts on the top and back. Doesn't say sides. To link these together, other than using the interconnect cables, you would have to come out of the back. That means you would not be able to mount these all the way to the rear of the under cabinet. That would be crazy, plus some of those wiring compartments are small. The 9 inch model says you have to buy a separate box to hardwire it. My advice would be to get the interconnect cables, because they just plug in. Or get a different brand where you can get the cables sooner

Crazy? We actually plan to install the lights at the front, not the rear, because we want to use them as task lighting at the counters. Here’s one of many on line sources that advocate such placements:

Under Cabinet Lighting Placement Location - Lighting Tutor

Under cabinet lighting placement location is something that will make a big difference in final results of your lighting project. Your choices are placing them in the front, the middle or the back of the cabinets.

www.lightingtutor.com

These fixtures are only 1/2 inch thick, you can’t see them unless you’re extremely short or bend down to look at the bottom of the wall cabinets. I’m not concerned about my ability to complete a neat and tidy installation using lamp cord.

And I’m not concerned that the manufacturer didn’t offer alternative installation methods (after all, they want to sell their accessories) and note that they didn’t issue any warnings against alternative installations. But I do want to complete the installation in a manner that’s safe! Hence my question here.

 

[FMB4]

I'd too would just buy a better brand of under cabinet LEDs that come with interconnect cables and reasonably good installation instructions. You would not need to ask the questions you're asking here if you had bought well regarded name brand LEDs from the start imo. Note: I've installed both LED and flor tube extended under kitchen cabinet lighting with out going through any of the hassles you're dealing with.

 

[Terry D]

Crazy? We actually plan to install the lights at the front, not the rear, because we want to use them as task lighting at the counters. Here’s one of many on line sources that advocate such placements:

Under Cabinet Lighting Placement Location - Lighting Tutor

Under cabinet lighting placement location is something that will make a big difference in final results of your lighting project. Your choices are placing them in the front, the middle or the back of the cabinets.

www.lightingtutor.com

These fixtures are only 1/2 inch thick, you can’t see them unless you’re extremely short or bend down to look at the bottom of the wall cabinets. I’m not concerned about my ability to complete a neat and tidy installation using lamp cord.

And I’m not concerned that the manufacturer didn’t offer alternative installation methods (after all, they want to sell their accessories) and note that they didn’t issue any warnings against alternative installations. But I do want to complete the installation in a manner that’s safe! Hence my question here.

I meant crazy having all those wires in a fixture. Wait till you wire one with multiple cables, you will see what i mean. I am sorry if I offened you. Im just talking from experience . Thats why i said to use interconnect cables because they just plug in. If you want lamp cord on the underside of your cabinet, that is your choice

 

[billconner]

I would definitely not use lamp cord for fixed in position 120 volts. Could you consider a wire mold type product continuous behind them?

I too absolutely like them as far forward as possible. Less glare and more even light on backsplash.

 

[Zippercat]

Good news! Last evening I emailed the manufacturer’s sales manager for their region that included Tennessee. I got an auto reply that the manager was on vacation. This morning I received a telephone call from an AFX, Inc. customer service rep who provided the names of 2 supply houses that they believed still had inventory. Cables are ordered!

Thanks again for your thoughtful replies. Based on my limited contact here, AFX, Inc. might be one of those increasingly rare companies that provides customer service!

 

[billconner]

Thank goodness it turned out well.

 

[dcg9381]

IMHO, don't do it this way. Use low voltage LED.