Light Fixture Grounding

[dfiler2]

Hi guys, I have two questions. I installed 9- 8’ T8 w/4 4’ bulbs in each fixture. There are three rows of three fixtures each. I am using surface mounted EMT and have connected the fixtures in each row with a short piece of conduit. My question is, do I need to run the ground wire to each fixture? I ran the ground wire to the first fixture in each row, I used a twist on wire connector on those connections so running the ground to each fixture would be easy if I need to.

My second question is do I need to have a ground wire connected in every box? I have a couple of boxes where there are no connections made, just used them for pulling the wire.

Thanks in advance

 

[sberry]

Yes you need to ground a metal Jbox and the conduit is fine for the fixtures. I double check a bit before I put the covers on o make sure the nuts are tight. I probably would not add a wire if I piped.

 

[coyote54]

I'm doing this very exact thing in my shop today except I'm daisy chaining 8 4' 2 bulb T5 fixtures together with 30" lengths of 1/2" EMT between the fixtures (fixtures are plastic housings). Ran the green to each fixture and also bonded each individual piece of EMT with a bonding locknut. Since fixtures are attached to a tin ceiling, electrician said to bond the EMT's together.

 

[laser3kw]

My shop has three rows, 3 fixtures each row, conduit between rows, fixtures butted end to end in each row,
I ran a green from the panel and pig tailed to each fixture ground screw (green screw in fixture housing) and each row.
I did not want to rely on conduit and nut connections for grounding over that area. They could rattle loose over time.

 

[Rookie2]

You won't believe this but somewhere I read (balast company) that the fixture needs to be grounded for proper lamp operation. I have replaced U tube T-12 lamps that have a foil stip taped to the lamp and connects to the lamp base at each end.

anyone else older than dirt remember this ?

 

[cybrdyke]

Those strips are there to help with the ignition of the lamps. They help pull the arc around the bend.
CD

 

[rlitman]

You won't believe this but somewhere I read (balast company) that the fixture needs to be grounded for proper lamp operation...

anyone else older than dirt remember this ?

That was more of an issue in T12. I don't think it is necessary for T8 with solid state ballasts. Still, grounding of metal is required for safety.