What does code say about hard wiring power cords?

[Citation]

I'm asking based on seeing something in this led light ad about hard wiring the light presumably into a box.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DNPL2VC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It
The ad appears to suggest a buyer cut the included cord then attach it to the wires in the box that would otherwise support the light fixture.

Does code allow connecting general use cords to installed wire? I've always assumed this would be a violation of something.

BTW, I do understand "code" varies depending on country and the edition of the NEC as well as possible local regulations. So I'm asking this as a general question.

 

[Platonic Solid]

I can't comment on your general code question, but it's worth noting that the lamp/fixture you linked to has no NRTL listing (no UL, ETL, or CSA), thus it would be a code violation to install by any means.

 

[cybrdyke]

Is it a code violation to connect a power cord for lights to an existing circuit? No, it's not.
These lights specifically could be an issue if an inspector were to show up, since they have no rating as described above.
CD

 

[Bretny]

Why cut the cord? I stall a outlet in the ceiling and plug them in.

I have had those lights in my garage for about 3 years now with out issues.

 

[Citation]

Why cut the cord? I stall a outlet in the ceiling and plug them in.

I have had those lights in my garage for about 3 years now with out issues.

This isn't something I'm considering doing. It's just a question that I'm curious about. I have some different 4' led lights in my garage but they are plugged into an actual outlet.

This might end up being useful info in the future as I may help my father upgrade some old 8' florescent fixtures in his garage. In that case the question is should we use 8' retrofits or add outlets to plug in 4' lights from Costco. I had just assumed it wasn't ok to connect the wires from the Costco lights right into the junction boxes associated with his existing lights.

To the group:. If the lights are UL approved then what would be the rules for install? I assume the cord would have to be anchored in/near the box so tugging on the cord doesn't pull on the actual connection? The retrofit question above wasn't my motivation for asking but it's there any reason why I would be better hard wiring into a junction box vs just adding an outlet and plugging in. In my father's shop the original fixtures were hard wired and attached to the rafters. If I don't incorporate the original fixtures (retrofit bulbs) I either have to add a box and outlet where the old light was or I could hard wire to the same junction box. I would think outlets would be easier.

 

[sberry]

The only issue with using a recept is it needs to be gfci under modern codes.

 

[alfredeneuman]

The Code says that cords can't used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure.
(There are exceptions for lifts, cranes, and elevators).

EDIT: and pendants

 

[pattenp]

There are plenty of hanging light fixtures that use flexible cord for the connection to a ceiling box. The cord from the light fixture to the ceiling box is considered part of the fixture and is not considered part of the permanent structure wiring. You will need to use the proper strain relief and connector at the box for the entry of the cord into the box. I find it easier to hardwire lights than install outlets and then have to deal with GFCI for the outlets.

 

[exranger06]

The ad you linked shows that the fixture includes several different cords. One of the cords you use if you're hardwiring. The other cords have a plug on the end. They're not suggesting you cut a plug off to hardwire.

The NEC only allows certain types of wire for hardwiring. Cord isn't one of them. Maybe the hardwire cord is made of a suitable material?

 

[alfredeneuman]

I take back what I earlier wrote: "Uses Permitted" includes wiring for luminares.
I was dead wrong on that

OP quote "The ad appears to suggest a buyer cut the included cord then attach it to the wires in the box that would otherwise support the light fixture."
If you cut the plug off of the fixture though it would have violated the listing requirement of 110.3 (B), but if the fixture isn't listed anyway it wouldn't even be allowed to be installed in the US.

 

[sberry]

I like plugs, so easy to service or modify.

 

[Citation]

I take back what I earlier wrote: "Uses Permitted" includes wiring for luminares.
I was dead wrong on that

OP quote "The ad appears to suggest a buyer cut the included cord then attach it to the wires in the box that would otherwise support the light fixture."
If you cut the plug off of the fixture though it would have violated the listing requirement of 110.3 (B), but if the fixture isn't listed anyway it wouldn't even be allowed to be installed in the US.

What counts as "installed"?

Take the lights from the Amazon ad that have no UL or similar certification. I assume they can legally be plugged into a wall outlet and used like a tablet lamp. If they are attached to the ceiling with screws then plugged in is that installed? I assume they would be considered installed if a cord of any type is hard wired to a junction box.

Thanks again all for the info. This was asked as just a curiosity question but it also may change my suggestions for my dad if/when that time comes.

 

[aka Larry]

I find it easier to hardwire lights than install outlets and then have to deal with GFCI for the outlets.

I think it just looks silly to have outlets in the ceiling, so I'd hardwire them too if it were me.

 

[alfredeneuman]

What counts as "installed"?

"Installed" = Used in any way

 

[Bretny]

I would still use the plug that these lights come with. There almost the bottom of the barrel lights so I'm sure I will be replacing some over the years. With that being said there a big improvement over 4' lamps with ballet.

These single light LEDs are actually very nice because you can really spread the light out in the garage. This takes away a lot of dark corners and you can use less lamps.

I'm going to use these under my carport roof in the near future. I know 3 other guys that have used these lights and love them. Just don't expect the highest grade commercial housing for the price. There LED and throw light well.

I think I have the 6k light spectrum one's, this is no where near accurate.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I take back what I earlier wrote: "Uses Permitted" includes wiring for luminares.
I was dead wrong on that

You were not wrong. Luminares can be wired directly with a cord as long as it meets the sizing and use requirement.

"NEC 400.7 Uses Permitted.
(A) Uses. Flexible cords and cables shall be used only for the following:
(1) Pendants.
(2) Wiring of luminaires."
There are other permitted uses I left out for space.


402.10 also allows fixture wires to be used to connect luminaires. I don't have the quoted code to print.



Tommy

 

[Citation]

Thanks all for the discussion. This has been educational for me.

As I said, this wasn't meant to be about a project I may with my dad do but it's gone this way.

As I mentioned before, his personal workshop has 8' T12 fixtures that are old. Rather than another round of replacing ballasts we've talked about changing to LED lighting. One option is 8' LED tubes and bypassing the ballasts. Another is getting 4' fixtures from Costco (these are UL listed)
https://www.costco.com/feit-electric-4'-linkable-led-shop-light,-2-pack.product.100462723.html
My brother put some in his garage and was very happy with the results. With something like the Costco setup I assumed I would have to add outlets to the existing light fixture wiring to plug them in.

I've been leaning towards the Costco fixtures assuming they would be cheaper than the 8' retrofit tubes. The 8' tubes don't seem to have any of the deals like I see on 4' tubes.

My initial thought had been add outlets and plug in the lights. Since this isn't new construction (it was built in the 70s) are GFI outlets required? This is a detached structure that's a dedicated workshop (machine shop). In this case it might be cheaper/easier to just replace the lighting breaker with a GFI breaker rather than dealing with adding a lot of GFI outlets. I my understanding is I replace existing outlets code says it must match either the code it was built to or be updated to current code. I assume since these would be new outlets they would have to be installed to current code.

Anyway, thanks for the information.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Thanks all for the discussion. This has been educational for me.

Rather than another round of replacing ballasts we've talked about changing to LED lighting. One option is 8' LED tubes and bypassing the ballasts. Another is getting 4' fixtures from Costco (these are UL listed)
https://www.costco.com/feit-electric-4'-linkable-led-shop-light,-2-pack.product.100462723.html
My brother put some in his garage and was very happy with the results. With something like the Costco setup I assumed I would have to add outlets to the existing light fixture wiring to plug them in.

I've been leaning towards the Costco fixtures assuming they would be cheaper than the 8' retrofit tubes. The 8' tubes don't seem to have any of the deals like I see on 4' tubes.

Anyway, thanks for the information.

The Lights of America fixtures at BJ's Wholesale are 5500Lm 5000k for about the same or less. The four pack is $50.00 off right now, a steal at $20/each. I just put 12 in my garage to replace three 8' and two 4' T12s. It's like a surgical theater in there now.


https://www.bjs.com/search/shop lights/q


Tommy

 

[alfredeneuman]

The Lights of America fixtures at BJ's Wholesale are 5500Lm 5000k for about the same or less. .
Tommy

https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/refunds/lights-america-refunds

Read the "Related News". They're a POS

 

[Dustball]

https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/refunds/lights-america-refunds

Read the "Related News". They're a POS

After reading the details, the false claims are for lights purchased between 2007 and 2011.

 

[alfredeneuman]

After reading the details, the false claims are for lights purchased between 2007 and 2011.

If they're history is as bad as that, do you think that they've greatly improved since then?

 

[Citation]

Since my brother had already tried and liked the Costco lights those are likely the ones we will go with.

 

[AntonLargiader]

I like the part where they were banned from misrepresenting their product in the future.

 

[alfredeneuman]

I like the part where they were banned from misrepresenting their product in the future.

The ruling just says they can't misrepresent them. It doesn't mean they need to improve them at all

 

[u2slow]

First off, don't have a clue what the NEC language is.

In general, the last leg to a suspended device may be accomplished by a rated cord or other suitable cable. Its done with chain-hung fixtures, pendants, even receptacle box drops from a ceiling. (https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7719935&postcount=2)

The key matter will be if the cord used on the fixture is listed/approved.

 

[Dustball]

If they're history is as bad as that, do you think that they've greatly improved since then?

Considering that this is the outcome of the lawsuit, yes.

"The court order permanently prohibits the defendants from misrepresenting material facts about lighting products, and misrepresenting light output or brightness in lumens, light output equivalency to another product, lifetime of the product, energy costs, energy savings, or energy consumption, or the ability to produce a desired energy-related effect. The order also requires the defendants to meet certain compliance and record-keeping requirements for 20 years."

They're being watched like a hawk by the FTC so I would assume that the numbers that LoA states on their packaging would be valid.

 

[alfredeneuman]

They're being watched like a hawk by the FTC so I would assume that the numbers that LoA states on their packaging would be valid.

Yes, their claims must be valid. Yet it just doesn't prevent them from producing a trash product.
EDIT:I had to install 20 LOA exterior fixtures on a strip mall (Customer supplied)
Within 8 months 14 of them had failed.

 

[sberry]

None of this bothers me. Mine are before gfci was needed in the ceiling. I am not changing it, it's not a bad thing and wouldn't have a problem with doing it on new work. A guy could hook it up and intend to change it later hard wire once he had it all designed. That stuff is so light it's easy to s reward it up, even move it, double it from a common lamp cord to figure out just how it worked best.

 

[sberry]

I had 2 switched outlets on my aframe. I manage to add and rewire it with some plug in stuff .

 

[CJ7VFR]

I had 2 switched outlets on my aframe. I manage to add and rewire it with some plug in stuff .

I like how you angled the two outer fixtures to create an almost half circle of light pointing just where you wanted/needed it!

Nice idea.

Jim

 

[cybrdyke]

Imagine...someone defending Lights of America.
Never thought I'd see the day....
CD

 

[macwhiz]

I’ve got old 8-footers myself, interconnected troffers . I went the retrofit route. Yeah, you have to remove the ballasts and rewire the sockets. Still might be less work than taking down the old fixtures and installing new conduit and outlets to code for plug-in lights. Plus you can replace individual LED tubes instead of the whole fixture.

The Hyperikon units I bought came with replacement sockets and all accessories. Excellent customer service when one went bad. In my case, with many lights, conversion was a LOT simpler than replacement.