Floresent fixture power leads

[nwav8tor]

Is it "legal" in the most common US electric codes to cut the plug off the end of box store FL fixtures and run the supplied cords (2 wire with ground) right through the garage sheetrock ceiling to power in junction boxes in the attic?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[mrb]

no...dont do it.

 

[Falcon67]

No. I would take out the cord, open the hole to near 1/2" and install a clamp appropriate to the wire (romex, MC, etc), then run wire into the fixture.

 

[Highbeam]

Why not? You would of course need to permanently mount the fixture, remove the chains. You are then allowed to run the romex through a hole in the sheetrock. So the question becomes, what is special about the supplied cord that makes the otherwise legal install illegal? Proper restraint is provided in each case by the staples and the plastic bushing on the fixture.

I am not voting yes or no yet.

 

[dave67fd]

Because it's lamp cord and it's not code to run direct through a wall or ceiling. If you use the rated Romex, MC etc.. as Falcon67 mentioned then your legal.

Personaly i would install a box in or flush mount at the ceiling and then wire the fixture to it or install an outlet in the box and plug the fixture in as intended. I believe you could keep the existing cord and hard wire into a blank box as long as you use a cord grip at the box entrance.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

400.7 Uses Permitted.
(A) Uses. Flexible cords and cables shall be used only for the following:
(1) Pendants
(2) Wiring of luminaires
(3) Connection of portable luminaires, portable and mobile signs, or appliances
(4) Elevator cables
(5) Wiring of cranes and hoists
(6) Connection of utilization equipment to facilitate frequent interchange
(7) Prevention of the transmission of noise or vibration
(8) Appliances where the fastening means and mechanical connections are specifically designed to permit ready removal for maintenance and repair, and the appliance is intended or identified for flexible cord connection
(9) Connection of moving parts
(10) Where specifically permitted elsewhere in this Code
(B) Attachment Plugs. Where used as permitted in 400.7(A)(3), (A)(6), and (A)(8), each flexible cord shall be equipped with an attachment plug and shall be energized from a receptacle outlet or cord connector body.
Exception: As permitted in 368.56.

400.8 Uses Not Permitted. Unless specifically permitted in 400.7, flexible cords and cables shall not be used for the following:
(1) As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure
(2) Where run through holes in walls, structural ceilings,
suspended ceilings, dropped ceilings, or floors
(3) Where run through doorways, windows, or similar
openings
(4) Where attached to building surfaces
Exception to (4): Flexible cord and cable shall be permitted to be attached to building surfaces in accordance with the provisions of 368.56(B)
(5) Where concealed by walls, floors, or ceilings or located above suspended or dropped ceilings
(6) Where installed in raceways, except as otherwise permitted in this Code
(7) Where subject to physical damage

Charles

 

[Highbeam]

Charles

Good answer Charles, it's the conductor type.

 

[nwav8tor]

OK, that's exactly what I was looking for! I can't run the supplied flexible cord through the ceiling, so my plan won't work.

I guess that my options are now:

1) Install surface-mount or flush-mount boxes and switched outlets on/in the ceiling and just plug the supplied cords into them. OR

2) Install surface- or flush-mount junction boxes on/in the ceiling and (after cutting the plugs off) direct connect the supplied fixture cord wires to switched power in those junction boxes as long as the fixture cords do not penetrate through the ceiling sheetrock. OR

3) Completely remove the supplied cords from the fixtures and replace with romex wire routed through holes in the ceiling sheetrock to switched power in junction boxes mounted entirely in the attic.


My thoughts:

#1 would have additional expense for purchasing the outlets themselves and would show excess slack fixture cord between the lights and outlets.

#2 would save some money by not using outlets and the fixture cords could be cut to length to eliminate excess visible slack.

#3 would require more romex and the effort to rewire romex into each fixture, but it would require less boxes in the attic and would reduce the visible wire to the minimum if the fixtures were chain hung or completely hide the wire if the fixtures were surface mounted.

I'm leaning towards #3, what do you all think?

This place ROCKS!

Thanks,
Paul

 

[nwav8tor]

Charles

Very informative Charles, thanks!

That brings up this question, is romex considered 'flexible cord or cable'?

In other words, can I run romex through a hole in the ceiling sheetrock?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[Norcal]

Very informative Charles, thanks!

That brings up this question, is romex considered 'flexible cord or cable'?

In other words, can I run romex through a hole in the ceiling sheetrock?

Thanks,
Paul

NM cable & flexible cord are two different things.

 

[Greatbear]

Another consideration is how you plan on mounting the fixtures. Some that come supplied with chains and pigtail cordsets aren't rated for direct mounting to the ceiling surface. The ballasts can overheat. Others just aren't listed/rated for "permanent" installations and have to be hung by the chains.

 

[PRH44]

As Norcal stated with some expansion
NM CABLE is a cable, It is a wiring method cover in chapter 300
Cord is just that cord also known as portable cord. This is not a wiring method recognized in chapter 300. It is in chapter 400 under equipment. It has restrictions as Charles has shown in his code reference

 

[nwav8tor]

As Norcal stated with some expansion
NM CABLE is a cable, It is a wiring method cover in chapter 300
Cord is just that cord also known as portable cord. This is not a wiring method recognized in chapter 300. It is in chapter 400 under equipment. It has restrictions as Charles has shown in his code reference

I guess I'm just confused by the terminology. The exerpts posted by Charles talk about permitted and non-permitted uses of flexible cord and CABLE.

The cord part I understand, but just to be sure, NM Cable (AKA romex) is NOT the same as the 'flexible cable' Charles' post shows uses & restriction for, right?

Thanks,
paul

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Table 400.3 of the code, which is several pages long, lists all the different kinds of flexible cords and cables, their approved uses, max voltages, types of insulation, wire gauges, type of insulation material and thickness, etc.

Paragraph 400.4 says.........

400.4 Types. Flexible cords and flexible cables shall conform to the description in Table 400.4. Types of flexible cords and flexible cables other than those listed in the table shall be the subject of special investigation

This makes the Table 400.4 the defining factor is what is and what is not a flexible cord or cable

Charles

 

[Charles (in GA)]

NM-B is not a flexible cable. It is a cable which can be flexed, as opposed to something that is rigid, but by design and nature (solid conductor) is not and does not meet the qualifications for a flexible cable.

Flexible cords and cables are designed to repeatedly flexed within design limits and not suffer any damage. NM-B would break if you repeatedly flexed it, as it is designed to be bent and formed to shape upon installation and not disturbed after that.

Charles

 

[DoyleDee]

The way I did my lights was to remove the cord completely and use mc cable from the fixture to each box ( I did my shop in conduit and mc cable- no romex-- I also have many boxes to be able to expand).
I wanted and overbuilt mine just for expansion...

 

[nwav8tor]

Thanks Charles, I get it now!