fluorescent lamp fixtures

[junkyardwarrior]

I am in the process of trying to figure out my lighting. 30x40x10 pole barn w/concrete. 200A dedicated service.

Right now I have 10 T8 fluorescent 8 foot fixtures screwed directly to the bottom of the exposed trusses, and I need to wire all of them. I don't plan on finishing a ceiling, but do plan on finishing the walls. There are 3 rows of fixtures. Center, south end and north end. All 3 will be on separate switches so I can turn on a row at a time as needed. Most of the time the center row is all I'd need (already verified light output).

I seem to remember reading code on this, and seems like I remember that if the fixtures are mounted direct, they require conduit. If suspended (chain, cable, etc) then they wire can be exposed. Is my memory correct?

Do you guys have any similar situations where you have the lamps mounted directly to the trusses? What did you do, and does anyone have a photo of their setup?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

If they run with the trusses, there might be concern about heat that the fixtures generate. They have to be approved for direct surface mounting. If they are simply across the trusses, I would not be concerned.

They can easily be wired with Romex, there is no code requiring conduit.

Charles

 

[junkyardwarrior]

the center row runs with the trusses. I looked up the model of the lamps, and they are indeed rated for surface mount applications.

Romex, stapled every 12" work?

On the two outer rows of lamps I'm looking at 4x 1.43A each, so 5.72A. Center row 3x. I have one more that I may mount, haven't decided yet. 14/2 to each row should be sufficient, correct?