Cords and MC cable in retail lighting

[strand16]

A company that does retail lighting is using 16/3 cord wired directly from the fixture into a J-box on the ceiling. My position is that this is illegal based on 410.62 (C) (1), and (2), you need to have a cord cap, and also 400.8 (1) you can't use cord as a substitute for building wiring. Installing 16 gauge wire with no cord cap directly on a 20A circuit breaker also comes into the mix, . You can use a properly gauged MC 12/2 w/ground to do this however. I'm having trouble finding the proper sizing for cord when sizing for lights using a cord cap. Could anybody comment with their experience and any other relevant code sections? I rambling along but I think you get the idea. I have a bet on this.
Thanks a lot.

 

[iwire]

400.7(2) allows cords to supply fixtures without cord caps.

I am having trouble with the 16 AWG unless it is listed fixture accessory or part of the listed fixture.

 

[strand16]

Bob
Thanks for the reply, I did see this code section that allows the wiring of lumneaires with cord but I had trouble getting by 410.62 that specificxally state when wiring lumenaires the flexible cord shall have a cord cap or busway plug. Would 400.7 superceed this? Also directly putting 16, or even14 on a 20 breakerdoesn't seem right.

 

[raider1]

Assuming that the luminaire is an electric discharge luminaire, then 410.62(C) (2)(c) requires the cord to have an attachment plug cap or be part of a luminaire assembly with a strain relief and canopy.

So is the flexible cord part of the luminaire assembly?

Chris

 

[raider1]

Bob
Thanks for the reply, I did see this code section that allows the wiring of lumneaires with cord but I had trouble getting by 410.62 that specificxally state when wiring lumenaires the flexible cord shall have a cord cap or busway plug. Would 400.7 superceed this? Also directly putting 16, or even14 on a 20 breakerdoesn't seem right.

It is my opinion that 400.7(A)(2) permits flexible cord to be used to supply a luminaire and 410.62 tells us how to use the flexible cord.

Chris

 

[iwire]

Assuming that the luminaire is an electric discharge luminaire, then 410.62(C) (2)(c) requires the cord to have an attachment plug cap or be part of a luminaire assembly with a strain relief and canopy.

It is my opinion that 400.7(A)(2) permits flexible cord to be used to supply a luminaire and 410.62 tells us how to use the flexible cord.

What wiring method must I use to supply an outdoor HID flood light?

 

[augie47]

What wiring method must I use to supply an outdoor HID flood light?

Troublemaker!
410.62(B) takes care of that for you.

In regard to the OPs question on cord ampacity, would 240.5(A) not cover that ?

 

[flashlight]

What wiring method must I use to supply an outdoor HID flood light?

I would use weathertight flex, e.g. sealtite.

 

[raider1]

Troublemaker!
410.62(B) takes care of that for you.

In regard to the OPs question on cord ampacity, would 240.5(A) not cover that ?

I agree.

410.62(B) allows flexible cord for adjustable luminaires.

Chris