T-8 wiring question?

[timewarp]

I have quite a few 3' T-12 single light fixtures that I am changing out the ballasts to T-8 and replacing the bulbs, the ballasts I have found the most reasonable cost wise will work for 1 or 2 bulbs, many of my light fixtures are mounted in pairs about 1' apart (parrallel to each other not end to end). Now here's my question, instead of putting 2 separate ballasts and only hooking 1 bulb to each, would it be ok to use one ballast in one fixture and run the output for the other bulb to the other fixture thru the existing 12/2 wgrd nm wiring? If not thru the nm, what about if I ran EMT between the fixtures to run the wires from the ballast thru?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[fstbusa]

Most ballasts can drive at least 2 lamps. If its rated for 2 lamps there is no reason you couldn't use 1 ballast for 2 single lamp fixtures.

 

[timewarp]

I know the ballast will power 2 bulbs, my concern was running the output from the ballast between the two fixtures in a safe manner, wasn't sure if there would be any reason that it wouldn't be safe.

 

[May Pop]

Run the wires an a piece of EMT (conduit). This is perfectly legal.

Ron

 

[rburke65]

What did the ballast cost you, if I may ask?

 

[timewarp]

What did the ballast cost you, if I may ask?

Home Depot had the best price, $13.97, this link is what they show on line, but the ones that they carry in my local store are Phillips Ambistar ballasts, the same part number at the electrical supply house was $19.97.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...53&langId=-1&keyword=T8+ballast&storeId=10051


I have read that you should buy ballasts from an electrical supply as the big box store ones aren't as good of quality, but the ones at the 3 Electrical supply stores in town are the exact same part number as the Home Depot ones and start at $6 each more. I'll take my chance on the Home Depot ones.

 

[Donald Cook]

I thought the same as you, and found out they are the same ballast for 5$ more, some fixtures come with cheap ballast, they don't last very long, still the whole thing is cheaper than just a ballast.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Run the wires an a piece of EMT (conduit). This is perfectly legal.

Ron

"legal", I doubt that. NEC requires the fixture to be "listed" as in UL or another listing agency/labatory. Doing something like this to the fixture(s) ends that UL listing and thus, takes away all of the legality (NEC wise) of it.

Can you do it? sure! is it legal? (electric code), no.

Charles

 

[timewarp]

I want to stay legal with this, so I will just purchase some more ballasts, only talking about 9 extra ballasts, I'd rather spend a few dollars and make it legal.

Thank you all for your input.