Rough in wiring for fluorescent lights

[windward]

Do fluorescent lights needs an electrical box or does the wire come directly into the fixture?

I am trying to figure out how to run my wiring for my light fixtures, before the sheet rock goes up. Should I run to a box, or just staple the NM to a truss where I want the fixture?

Thanks
Matt

 

[pauls_workshop]

I have the same question. In what state do you leave the wires for the lighting circuit for the rough in inspection? If you aren't planning on a box to be there for a flourescent light, how do you leave the wiring to pass the rough inspection? The fixtures aren't up in my case. Do I have to install them all for the rough inspection and let the wires sit inside of them? Or can you just let them dangle in the spots where you will put the lights later on? I got my wall circuits figured out but this lighting circuit thing is confusing! thx- Paul

 

[theoldwizard1]

It might depend on how the fixture is mounted.

The last ones I did were hung on chains from the rafters. They same pre-wired with 5' power cords so I just mounted a couple of duplex receptacles, in appropriate boxes, on the ceiling joist and plugged them in. I used tie wraps to take up the slack.

 

[JoeFin]

Most jurisdictions in California - just romex staple the wire coming down the joist to where you have the fluorescent fixture.

As long as its residential they don't care too much

 

[Falcon67]

I drilled a 1" hole where the feed comes in for the surface mount fixtures. Romex comes into the fixture though a romex clamp in the fixture knockout. The 1" hole in the OSB ceiling clears the clamp when the fixture is mounted.

 

[pepi]

I drilled a 1" hole where the feed comes in for the surface mount fixtures. Romex comes into the fixture though a romex clamp in the fixture knockout. The 1" hole in the OSB ceiling clears the clamp when the fixture is mounted.

This what he is suggesting,

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ITFA0Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20



Most florescent fixtures have a knock out plug. Take that out and use the following, self explanatory.

 

[windward]

Okay, that makes sense. Thanks everyone!

 

[Mustang51js]

I use plastic rx connectors,this way you can just push the wire in. You don't need a box unless you plan on putting different lights in the future.

 

[67carl]

Where were you a month ago! I had the same question when I put mine up and decided to use boxes. Makes it easier for any future mods. I ran it by my contractor last week just to be sure before the drywall goes up and he said it's good to go. Of course you could just poke the romex through a hole in the drywall and into the fixture and use that as the box...

 

[Mustang51js]

Btw that blue box in the pic isn't rated for light fixtures, you would need a round nail on box or metal if your getting it inspected.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Ok so to summarize here, for rough in inspection, it is best to mount the flourescent light fixture, use the correct fitting for the NM wire, run it down the wall/celing into the fixture, and tie off the grounds on it, but NOT complete the circuit to power the light with the black and white wires. Leave them unconnected. Is this correct? - Paul

 

[Mustang51js]

You don't need to install the light, just have the grounds connected properly in all the switches and outlets and have the neutrals wirenutted together in the switches. You can hook the circuit up to panel but cap off hot or leave breaker off

 

[pauls_workshop]

You don't need to install the light, just have the grounds connected properly in all the switches and outlets and have the neutrals wirenutted together in the switches. You can hook the circuit up to panel but cap off hot or leave breaker off

Thanks Mustang, but question: When you say you don't need to install the light, do you mean the light fixture or the light itself? Don't you have to install the florescent light fixture to run the NM though? Or are you saying you don't have to do that at all for rough in inspection and can just have the wires hanging there where the fixtures would eventually go? That is my question as it would be easier for me to just let the wires dangle rather than install everything right now. Outlets and other boxes I have covered, as they will be there. thx - Paul

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Btw that blue box in the pic isn't rated for light fixtures, you would need a round nail on box or metal if your getting it inspected.

Not to mention you can't run the individual wires out of the box and into the fixture. The box needs to be mounted to the fixture if you're not using a cable between the box & fixture.

On a side note, I'm not sure of the NEC requirements, but when I redid the lights in my garage the inspector told me you can't use NM cable "exposed". He said if you're not sheet rocking the walls or putting up a drop ceiling you have to use AC cable...

Tommy

 

[Mustang51js]

Thanks Mustang, but question: When you say you don't need to install the light, do you mean the light fixture or the light itself? Don't you have to install the florescent light fixture to run the NM though? Or are you saying you don't have to do that at all for rough in inspection and can just have the wires hanging there where the fixtures would eventually go? That is my question as it would be easier for me to just let the wires dangle rather than install everything right now. Outlets and other boxes I have covered, as they will be there. thx - Paul

Yeah for rough only you need the wires sticking down, then after Sheetrock you can install them

 

[67carl]

Not to mention you can't run the individual wires out of the box and into the fixture. The box needs to be mounted to the fixture if you're not using a cable between the box & fixture.

On a side note, I'm not sure of the NEC requirements, but when I redid the lights in my garage the inspector told me you can't use NM cable "exposed". He said if you're not sheet rocking the walls or putting up a drop ceiling you have to use AC cable...

Tommy

It's just a temp setup until I drywall. I wanted to get them in to make sure all the locations work before the drywall goes in. I'll take them down, drywall, then mount them with a spacer to set them off the ceiling (not hanging on the box). Romex from the back of the box (behind drywall - not visible), down into the back of the fixture through a knock out.

 

[TractorJeff]

Why didn't you just call the local inspector?
He is the one who is going to give you the headache of changing fixtures/boxes because you asked for advice on the Internet from people in a different state?
Most Inspectors are an Ex-Contractor of some sort. My local was a Concrete guy, so even if you have load calcs for snow/ice, archetectural drawings with 3D prints. He will still fail you at some point in the process even after he "Reviewed and Signed off" on your Plans. Why because what you are doing is not in his little black book of locally accepted guidelines.

 

[Highbeam]

Often, as in my case, the inspectors are not available to "teach" you. They will come to inspect though and you really want that first impression to be a good one.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Yeah for rough only you need the wires sticking down, then after Sheetrock you can install them

Mustang, thanks again. In my case, I'll not be ever installing a sheetrock ceiling. I'll be using this in a basement shop with exposed ceiling joists. My ceiling is white paint covering all the joists above. Would that change anything? It will be NM down the joist wall over a jog if needed and into the top of the florescent fixture. There are some lights in the basement now that were done exactly this way so I'm thinking that will be fine. - Paul

 

[Mustang51js]

Yeah that will be fine and in that case you can install the lights,worse case is the inspector may ask you to open the cover on the light or ask if you hooked up to the ground screw on the light. More than likely he will just look at the connector and say ok. As long as your 1 1/4 inch away from edge of beams you are ok

 

[Bunchgrass]

The electrical inspector here said exposed NM is okay if it's 8ft above the floor or higher -- out of reach/harm's way? Other wise, needs to be covered or in conduit.

Here, the electrical and plumbing insp are former members of the trade. The building inspectors USED to be former contractors as mentioned above, but now are no practical experience graduates of the online school of building inspection. What a pain in the ***.

 

[Mustang51js]

The electrical inspector here said exposed NM is okay if it's 8ft above the floor or higher -- out of reach/harm's way? Other wise, needs to be covered or in conduit.

Here, the electrical and plumbing insp are former members of the trade. The building inspectors USED to be former contractors as mentioned above, but now are no practical experience graduates of the online school of building inspection. What a pain in the ***.

Usually if it's sheet rocked in can say do that,on here you would prob get a lot of flack because it's not the code,lol, but if it's open ceiling I would drill the beams just in case he decides to Sheetrock in the future .