Garage light wiring

[Halowisa]

Hello. New member here. I've looked all over this forum and couldn't find an answer. I've finally started my mini-garagemahal project (I finally have a garage!) I'm re-using some fluorescent fixtures that do not have a cord with plug. So how do I wire in? Do I put a ceiling fixture box (or junction box) above where the fixture will be mounted? Or just run the wire through a hole in the ceiling to a junction box? I may be hanging the fixtures instead of mounting directly against the ceiling.

Everyone's help is appreciated.
Gary

 

[Bigpigdave]

I believe the proper way is to mount a box at the light and run MC or AC to the fixture. They sell lighting "whips" for this purpose but it may be easier and cheaper to make your own. This is important especially if you are hanging the fixtures.
Good luck, Dave

 

[Halowisa]

Thanks for that info, but I'm still fuzzy on some details. My intention is to finish off the ceiling and install the boxes for the lights flush with the ceiling and in the attic space.

1) So if I use those whips, what type of box do I use and/or how do I attach the whip to the box?

2) If I mount the lights directly against the ceiling, do I need the box above the light fixture and then bring the wire through a clamp into the fixture? I can't just run a wire through a whole in the ceiling into the fixture, can I?

Thanks to anyone that helps.

 

[csp]

No need for a whip. Install the regular light mounting boxes where they will be covered by the flourescent fixture. The light fixtures have knockouts in them to run wires to the wiring in the box.

 

[mrb]

you cant bury a box behind a flourescent fixture if the fixture is attached to anything other than the box -you have to have a hole in the fixture that makes the entire box accessable. Or do it right and run the cable directly into the fixture as its intended.

If you hang the fixtures, i would run surface EMT on the ceiling with a 4S box above each light. Then drop down to the light from the box with a MC whip.

 

[jayrush13]

you cant bury a box behind a flourescent fixture if the fixture is attached to anything other than the box -you have to have a hole in the fixture that makes the entire box accessable.

I don't know where you came up with that idea but some people on here amaze me with the advice they give with out even knowing

 

[mrb]

I don't know where you came up with that idea but some people on here amaze me with the advice they give with out even knowing

maybe check your homework before accusing me of dispensing advice 'without even knowing'

410.24 Connection of Electric-Discharge Luminaire.
(B) Access to Boxes. Electric-discharge luminaires surface mounted over concealed outlet, pull, or junction boxes and designed not to be supported solely by the outlet box shall be provided with suitable openings in the back of the luminaire to provide access to the wiring in the box.

 

[Halowisa]

Thanks mrb. The light fixtures are still up on the unfinished ceiling and I didn't realize they have knockouts as large as a fixture mounting box. Can you please clarify what you meant by doing it right. You didn't mean to just run a wire from the attic, through a 3/4"hole in the ceiling and into the fixture, did you?

 

[Norcal]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:
Originally Posted by jayrush13
I don't know where you came up with that idea but some people on here amaze me with the advice they give with out even knowing

maybe check your homework before accusing me of dispensing advice 'without even knowing'

410.24 Connection of Electric-Discharge Luminaire.
(B) Access to Boxes. Electric-discharge luminaires surface mounted over concealed outlet, pull, or junction boxes and designed not to be supported solely by the outlet box shall be provided with suitable openings in the back of the luminaire to provide access to the wiring in the box.

Seems like the prev. poster needed to read what he had written.

Thanks for posting the NEC art.

 

[Jeepskate]

What I did with mine was put single gang boxes in the ceiling and installed receptacles in them (I had a bunch of receptacles and wall plates leftover from switching over to Decora stuff in the house) and installed power cords w/plugs salvaged from various items at work (UPS', power strips, etc...I work for an e-recycler) on the lights. Easy to pull a light down to service it or move it if I find that I doesn't work where it is.

 

[bochnak]

I ran EMT conduit with a box located between 2 fixtures. Next, I used BX whips no more than 6' long (code).

I made my own whips. They sell screw in fittings. Visit your local HD or lowes.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Thanks mrb. The light fixtures are still up on the unfinished ceiling and I didn't realize they have knockouts as large as a fixture mounting box. Can you please clarify what you meant by doing it right. You didn't mean to just run a wire from the attic, through a 3/4"hole in the ceiling and into the fixture, did you?

Put a clamp in a hole in the upper surface of the fixture and a hole in the ceiling at that point and bring Romex or MC or whatever you are using right into the box.

Charles

 

[Halowisa]

Jeepskate, I like your idea of a receptacle. Tha fixtures I have are not corded. Do you think the power cords from an old computer or monitor would be heavy duty enough?

 

[Norcal]

Jeepskate, I like your idea of a receptacle. Tha fixtures I have are not corded. Do you think the power cords from an old computer or monitor would be heavy duty enough?

They may or may not be the correct temp. rating,but this depends on how they are installed.

 

[Jeepskate]

I would use the cords from servers, UPS's and the like...heavier gauge, heavier duty, intended for higher temps. If the teardown guys haven't gotten to the last batch of UPS's yet, I can snip a few off and send them to you just let me know how many you need. I think I have 4-6 leftovers down in my building as well (I snipped a bunch last week because I got some more free HO T5's from the local electrician and wired them up over the weekend).

 

[Falcon67]

I drilled 1/2" holes in each end of mine and daisy chained them together with Romex. My ceiling isn't furnished, if it was I'd put 1/2 conduit fitting in each end.

 

[Steve_P]

one thing to keep in mind is that some fluorescent fixtures shouldn't be mounted directly against a solid surface like drywall or plywood- they need to hang down from chains (or similar). If you look at the ballast it is usually labeled something like "do not flush mount" - as they run cooler not flush mount.

 

[Falcon67]

one thing to keep in mind is that some fluorescent fixtures shouldn't be mounted directly against a solid surface like drywall or plywood- they need to hang down from chains (or similar). If you look at the ballast it is usually labeled something like "do not flush mount" - as they run cooler not flush mount.

Yes - excellent point. Mine are all T8 electric now and run very cool. The older T12 units were spaced from the rafters with 1x2 blocks on each end to allow air space. I reused the blocks when I replaced the lights but it wasn't really necessary.

 

[harpboys4]

If you wish to have your boxes flushmount in the cieling and hang your lights from jack chain you could use the metal j-box covers with single knockouts and then use whips out of bx,flex,so or sj cord.If you are going to have more than one light out of a j-box you would use a 4s extension box and run your whips out of it.Then put a blank cover on the 4s box. Hope that was helpful.

 

[Dan0myte]

My ceiling isn't furnished

Well I would hope not! I'd probably question your sanity if you attached a couch & loveseat to your ceiling.

 

[Falcon67]

Well I would hope not! I'd probably question your sanity if you attached a couch & loveseat to your ceiling.