Getting power to highbay lights

[mcbane]

I need to get power to a number of highbay lights hanging from Z purlins in a metal building. Since the ceiling is 20+ ft up, I think my cost effective cable to get from the eaves to the junction boxes at the lights would be romex, but I'm wondering what the bests support means is for romex. There are a lot of clips intended to attach to lower flanges of the purlins. Can anyone recommend a cost-effective and easy to use clip?

And of course, if there is a way better way to get power to the lights please let me know.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Tie-Wraps within 12" of every box, and 4-1/2' thereafter

 

[Terry D]

I wouldn't use romex held up with zip ties. Don't know about your area, but that would never fly in mine. My suggestion would be using a MC cable and a CADDY # 449 clip. These are great with running parallel with the joist, they make other style clips to run perpendicular to them. Even if it is legal in your area to zip tie romex, I just think the MC cable looks better. This is just my opinion.



https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs...om/catalog/variants/PH20098g.jpg&action=click

 

[alfredeneuman]

I wouldn't use romex held up with zip ties. Don't know about your area, but that would never fly in mine.

The NEC allows them
St. Louis is on the 2017 NEC and the only amendments are administrative; not the rules themselves. Inspectors are required to follow the NEC.

 

[ard]

I’m not a fan of exposed Romex. Yeah, romex in an attic running around unseen by me is fine, but remove the Sheetrock and I don’t like it.

Makes no sense...

I’d run EMT.

 

[Terry D]

The NEC allows them
St. Louis is on the 2017 NEC and the only amendments are administrative; not the rules themselves. Inspectors are required to follow the NEC.

Thanks for letting me know what code Im in. LOL. Local jurisdictions can override the NEC, and they can be in different code cycles. The can make it stricter or they can make it less strict. Our state wide license is not like California, yet. St. Louis County and The City of St. Louis are two different Jurisdiction's, both in the 2017 code. you might be able to do it one way in the City, but not in the county. Or visa versa. Securing cables in long runs with Zip ties is not common here, but that doesn't mean its not common in your area. We might do it to bring a MC cable down a threaded rod or jack chain for a fixture. One thing to add about using zip ties, the must be listed for support. They will have a "S" in the model number.

 

[alfredeneuman]

We might do it to bring a MC cable down a threaded rod or jack chain for a fixture.

The NEC requires stranded wire be used on connections to chain hung fixtures.

 

[nsula_country]

I'm thinking rent a scissor lift and run EMT conduit. Pull stranded wire. Z purlins already indicate this is a metal building. Correct? As much as I hate to use PVC inside, it would be a better option than Romex/MC.

Anything special in CA for Earthquakes required also?

Zip-Tie romex?? Nawwww.

Would think if someone has the means to own building with 20+' ceiling height the job can be done correctly.

My $0.02 and a cup of coffee.

CT

 

[nadogail]

Before I would run EMT, I would seriously consider MC Metal Clad, or what we used to call BX cable.

In my garage I have zip tied NM to the copper water line running in the attic.

 

[alfredeneuman]

mcbane asked: "I think my cost effective cable to get from the eaves to the junction boxes at the lights would be romex, but I'm wondering what the bests support means is for romex" ... and I just answered his question.

MC Cable has exactly the same requirement for "Protection from physical damage" as Romex in that it has to be sleeved with hard conduit when mounted low.

nsula>He may not own the building....it could be leased

I personally would use EMT, but I have all the tools and experience required, as opposed to NM which only requires a pair of strippers to install.

 

[Terry D]

The NEC requires stranded wire be used on connections to chain hung fixtures.

They make stranded MC.

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[alfredeneuman]

They make stranded MC.

I know that.
I also know that it's uncommon and a special order item only.
Please provide a link to show where you regularly buy it

 

[nsula_country]

I know that.
I also know that it's uncommon and a special order item only.
Please provide a link to show where you regularly buy it

Still has the same "protect from physical damage" as Romex NM.

CT

 

[mcbane]

Thanks for all the replies. I hadnt thought of EMT but after pricing materials maybe a cleaner install since I believe I can put the LED dimming conductors in the same conduit as long as I use 16 ga dimmer conductors. Fortunately, not too many conduit bends vs the overall length since it is a large expanse of ceiling with only a few portal frames in the way.

I had previously only looked at the special luminaire armored cable with 120v plus 0-10v dimmer conductors but it is fairly expensive. Thats why I was considering romex with separate dimmer cables.

With respect to physical damage protection, there is no equipment operating close to the wiring and it is 20 ft off the ground so I believe it is not considered at risk of physical damage. Of course that call ultimately belongs to the inspector.

 

[Terry D]

I know that.
I also know that it's uncommon and a special order item only.
Please provide a link to show where you regularly buy it

Im not trying to be a smart ***, this just shows how things are different in different parts of the US. I mainly deal with metro electric supply, they have all you want in stock. It is real common here. All the main supply houses carry it. You wont find it in stock at home depot or lowes. I don't have a link, i guess they have a web site, here is their number 314 645-9000. Metro Electric Supply

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[Terry D]

Thanks for all the replies. I hadnt thought of EMT but after pricing materials maybe a cleaner install since I believe I can put the LED dimming conductors in the same conduit as long as I use 16 ga dimmer conductors. Fortunately, not too many conduit bends vs the overall length since it is a large expanse of ceiling with only a few portal frames in the way.

I had previously only looked at the special luminaire armored cable with 120v plus 0-10v dimmer conductors but it is fairly expensive. Thats why I was considering romex with separate dimmer cables.

With respect to physical damage protection, there is no equipment operating close to the wiring and it is 20 ft off the ground so I believe it is not considered at risk of physical damage. Of course that call ultimately belongs to the inspector.

There is nothing wrong with running MC cable up high like that. Now for your switches, if everything is exposed in the walls, then EMT would be the way to go. Switch over to EMT going down the walls. But if they are getting dry walled, then MC is fine there also. If this was my own personal building, I would pipe it. It does look better, takes more time, but who cares if it is your own building. I never even realized they made a special cable with the dimming and the power conductors in it