How do I install surface mount fluorescent fixture?

[Notch1988]

Sorry guys, probably a dumb question, but the only fluorescents I've done were either troffer style or ones that plugged into a switched receptacle. I'm wondering if the surface mounts need a fixture box installed to make the connections and/or mount it to? Or just pull the wire through a hole in the ceiling and make the connection inside the fixture itself and mount it to the ceiling?

 

[RECox286]

I use a Romex connector thru the closed portion of the fixture, where the ballast

resides, as an entrance for the house wiring, and use the troth as a mechanical

enclosure, which it is. Fasten the fixture directly to the ceiling rafters, and then

run 1/2" EMT from fixture to fixture as necessary. You will find KO's for this purpose

at likely spots on the fixtures.

Uncle Bob

 

[Steevo]

I did as Bob suggests, I ran a romex from the switch to the first fixture in a row, brought it in through the ceiling (small hole in the sheet rock), through a romex fitting in a knockout in the back of the fixture. I used box spacers between fixtures, so they had a hard connection between them, and I then ran standard 14ga wire (hot/neutral/gnd) from fixture to fixture down a row to tie them all together. I have four fixtures in a row, each with four bulbs.

Romex connector:

Box spacer:

My lights:

Oh, and the fixtures are screwed through the sheet rock into the trusses every 2 feet.

 

[Notch1988]

Thanks guys, exactly what I was looking for. And Steevo, what size is your shop and how many 32w bulbs you got going on in there?

 

[lsrx101]

Wow, Nice.
No lack of light in that shop! I think I still see a bit of a shadow over by the shop vac, though.

 

[Steevo]

Thanks guys, exactly what I was looking for. And Steevo, what size is your shop and how many 32w bulbs you got going on in there?

24' x 40' x 12' ceilings.
17 fixtures, with four bulbs each, for a total of 68 tubes at 32 watts each.

 

[nwav8tor]

I'm putting in individual light fixtures, not continuous runs like Steevo. I plan to run all my romex in the attic and enter each fixture through a hole in the sheetrock ceiling. That way, I wont have to run visible EMT along the ceiling from fixture to fixture like REFCox286 suggested...

My .02 worth,
Paul