Fixture whips

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ptonsparky

ptonsparky

Tom
Location
NE (9.06 miles @5.9 Degrees from Winged Horses)
Occupation
EC - retired
Do fixture whips, normally associated with troffers, have a limitation as to where they are installed? NEC reference?

I have a small industrial with open ceiling and am thinking those whips would work well to the HO floresent fixtures we will be using.

Couldn't get my AHJ this morning.
 
I would think it is more of a listing and labeling issue than it is an NEC issue.

Flexible metal conduit rules would apply but they often have 16 or 18 ga conductors in them that you would not be able to install if you were using flexible metal conduit, so they are usually a listed assembly. Follow any instructions the manufacturer has. JMO.
 
kwired said:
I would think it is more of a listing and labeling issue than it is an NEC issue.

Flexible metal conduit rules would apply but they often have 16 or 18 ga conductors in them that you would not be able to install if you were using flexible metal conduit, so they are usually a listed assembly. Follow any instructions the manufacturer has. JMO.
Click to expand...

I don't remember 16 or 18 ga being limited to a listed assembly. I think if you meet the requirements for fixture wires you can do it in the field. I guess we'll have to look it up.:)
 
ptonsparky said:
Do fixture whips, normally associated with troffers, have a limitation as to where they are installed? NEC reference?

I have a small industrial with open ceiling and am thinking those whips would work well to the HO floresent fixtures we will be using.

Couldn't get my AHJ this morning.
Click to expand...

Well, the ignorant Brit strikes again....

Fixture whips?
Trofflers?
HO (home owner but if so relevance?)
AHJ?

Any jargon busters?
 
Besoeker said:
Well, the ignorant Brit strikes again....

Fixture whips?
Trofflers?
HO (home owner but if so relevance?)
AHJ?

Any jargon busters?
Click to expand...

Fixture Whip-the flex connection from the last junction box to the light fixture in a suspended ceiling
Troffer-a light fixture that lays in a ceiling grid
HO-in this case it means high output
AHJ-the authority having jurisdiction, the mean old inspector
Hood-bonnet
Toilet-loo
:)
 
Besoeker said:
Well, the ignorant Brit strikes again....

Fixture whips?
Trofflers?
HO (home owner but if so relevance?)
AHJ?

Any jargon busters?
Click to expand...
...if we could all be so ignorant:)

texie said:
Fixture Whip-the flex connection from the last junction box to the light fixture in a suspended ceiling
Troffer-a light fixture that lays in a ceiling grid
HO-in this case it means high output
AHJ-the authority having jurisdiction, the mean old inspector
Hood-bonnet
Toilet-loo
:)
Click to expand...

And you even corrected my spelling.:thumbsup:
 
texie said:
Fixture Whip-the flex connection from the last junction box to the light fixture in a suspended ceiling
Troffer-a light fixture that lays in a ceiling grid
HO-in this case it means high output
AHJ-the authority having jurisdiction, the mean old inspector
Hood-bonnet
Toilet-loo
:)
Click to expand...
Educational and appreciated so thank you kindly for that.
Not sure that we Brits have quite the same range of electrical jargon that you guys do.
Zebedee might fox you.
:cool:
 
Besoeker said:
Well, the ignorant Brit strikes again....

Fixture whips?
Trofflers?
HO (home owner but if so relevance?)
AHJ?

Any jargon busters?
Click to expand...

Well, others have said it, but I wanna say it as well:)
Fixture whips = usually 3/8 MC with #16 or #18 Gauge wire intended for a single light wiring.
Trofflers = I was gonna say it's truffles, but it's actually "troffer". A term used for the lay in fixtures, usually in an acoustical ceiling.
HO would be homeowner, but in this case I believe the OP is referring to Hi Output. No clue why the OP's using them in an interior facility. The advantage of High Output is being able to light up at -30 degrees or so. I don't think the building is in antarctica....
AHJ =Cowboy
 
Strife said:
Well, others have said it, but I wanna say it as well:)
Fixture whips = usually 3/8 MC with #16 or #18 Gauge wire intended for a single light wiring.
Trofflers = I was gonna say it's truffles, but it's actually "troffer". A term used for the lay in fixtures, usually in an acoustical ceiling.
HO would be homeowner, but in this case I believe the OP is referring to Hi Output. No clue why the OP's using them in an interior facility. The advantage of High Output is being able to light up at -30 degrees or so. I don't think the building is in antarctica....
AHJ =Cowboy
Click to expand...

Fixture whips are not MC cable they are 3/8 flexible metal conduit with connectors and conductors already installed. They are usually 6 feet long because that is maximum length allowed for an unsupported drop of FMC to a luminaire by NEC.

Another advantage of HO fluorescent is more light from a similar luminaire. They were more popular indoors when T12 lamps was dominating the market - especially in the 8 foot tube length.
 
Jargon

Jargon

..

Fixture whips?
Trofflers?
HO (home owner but if so relevance?)
AHJ?

Any jargon busters?[/QUOTE]



I often search the internet for electrical parts using local trade names. Quite often porno shows up just as my wife is looking over my shoulder.:lol:
 
Strife said:
Well, others have said it, but I wanna say it as well:)
Fixture whips = usually 3/8 MC with #16 or #18 Gauge wire intended for a single light wiring.
Trofflers = I was gonna say it's truffles, but it's actually "troffer". A term used for the lay in fixtures, usually in an acoustical ceiling.
HO would be homeowner, but in this case I believe the OP is referring to Hi Output. No clue why the OP's using them in an interior facility. The advantage of High Output is being able to light up at -30 degrees or so. I don't think the building is in antarctica....
AHJ =Cowboy
Click to expand...

AHJ-Cowboy Good thinking. Just imagine Cowboy and the Brit having a meeting.:D
 
kwired said:
Fixture whips are not MC cable they are 3/8 flexible metal conduit with connectors and conductors already installed. They are usually 6 feet long because that is maximum length allowed for an unsupported drop of FMC to a luminaire by NEC.

Another advantage of HO fluorescent is more light from a similar luminaire. They were more popular indoors when T12 lamps was dominating the market - especially in the 8 foot tube length.
Click to expand...

MC stands for Metal Clad...
Yeah, MC is a 3/8" "armor" around 3, 4 or 5 conductors. AC is a 3/8" armor around 2,3, or 4 conductors. Fixture whips are a 3/8 armor around (usually) 3 conductors.
Other than technicalities PRAY TELL what's the different between an MC and a fixture whip?
I use MC as a general term of what its name is:"METAL CLAD" and as my post was tongue in cheek (for the most part) sorry for being politically incorrect.
 
Strife said:
MC stands for Metal Clad...
Yeah, MC is a 3/8" "armor" around 3, 4 or 5 conductors. AC is a 3/8" armor around 2,3, or 4 conductors. Fixture whips are a 3/8 armor around (usually) 3 conductors.
Other than technicalities PRAY TELL what's the different between an MC and a fixture whip?
I use MC as a general term of what its name is:"METAL CLAD" and as my post was tongue in cheek (for the most part) sorry for being politically incorrect.
Click to expand...

Don't intend to pick on you but the technicalities can get you. You may know the differences, I still don't think it is a good idea to refer to different items as though they are the same. You very well may get someone looking up to you convinced they are the same.

The armor on MC cable although similar is not necessarily the same as 3/8 flexible metal conduit.

Most of the cable I have seen, 14-2 thru 10-2, the armor is custom sized to the conductors it contains and is smaller than 3/8 flex. The 10-2 may be getting close to same size jacket as 3/8 flex.

There is no fill requirements for MC because it is not a raceway it is a cable. MC cable does have filler materials within the jacket as well as a thin tape with identification information on it.

These are some of the more obvious differences between MC cable and 3/8 flex.
 
kwired said:
Don't intend to pick on you but the technicalities can get you. You may know the differences, I still don't think it is a good idea to refer to different items as though they are the same. You very well may get someone looking up to you convinced they are the same.

The armor on MC cable although similar is not necessarily the same as 3/8 flexible metal conduit.

Most of the cable I have seen, 14-2 thru 10-2, the armor is custom sized to the conductors it contains and is smaller than 3/8 flex. The 10-2 may be getting close to same size jacket as 3/8 flex.

There is no fill requirements for MC because it is not a raceway it is a cable. MC cable does have filler materials within the jacket as well as a thin tape with identification information on it.

These are some of the more obvious differences between MC cable and 3/8 flex.
Click to expand...

I don't have a searchable version of the NEC, so I don't know if the term "fixture whip" is used, but since you have pointed out the importance of technicality, as far as I know, a fixture whip is a fixture whip. Whether it is contructed from 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 or 4" flex, MC, etc. it is still a fixture whip, so both posters are giving examples of fixture whip construction.
 
Strathead said:
I don't have a searchable version of the NEC, so I don't know if the term "fixture whip" is used, but since you have pointed out the importance of technicality, as far as I know, a fixture whip is a fixture whip. Whether it is contructed from 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 or 4" flex, MC, etc. it is still a fixture whip, so both posters are giving examples of fixture whip construction.
Click to expand...

You mean you don't have an electronic version with a search engine. Old fashioned search is still possible in a real book but can be time consuming:happyyes:

A search of "fixture whip" in NEC plus came up with no results.

If you go to supply house and ask for a "fixture whip" you will get an assembly made up of 6 feet of 3/8 flexible metal conduit with connector on each end and conductors already installed, or you will have a new guy at the supply house that has no idea what you want. I will not even try to guess what he may bring back to the counter and ask "Is this what you wanted?"
 
kwired said:
You mean you don't have an electronic version with a search engine. Old fashioned search is still possible in a real book but can be time consuming:happyyes:

A search of "fixture whip" in NEC plus came up with no results.

If you go to supply house and ask for a "fixture whip" you will get an assembly made up of 6 feet of 3/8 flexible metal conduit with connector on each end and conductors already installed, or you will have a new guy at the supply house that has no idea what you want. I will not even try to guess what he may bring back to the counter and ask "Is this what you wanted?"
Click to expand...

I know we are venturing down the rabbit hole... And I just like to argue, so with only light hearted sarcasm, are you trying to say that a 6 foot piece of 1/2" flex with 3 wires and 2 connectors between the j box and the troffer is not a "fixture whip"?
 
Strathead said:
I know we are venturing down the rabbit hole... And I just like to argue, so with only light hearted sarcasm, are you trying to say that a 6 foot piece of 1/2" flex with 3 wires and 2 connectors between the j box and the troffer is not a "fixture whip"?
Click to expand...
No, I am only stating that "fixture whip" is not an NEC term and the use of the term only leads to confusion as to what it is or is not.

I try my best to try to use terminology in NEC as much as possible - especially when talking to other electrical trade people since the NEC is kind of the bible of the electrical trade (at least for the under 600 volts portion of the trade).
If you use the terminology of the NEC - the NEC becomes easier to use, and others that use the same NEC also are not as confused by terminology.

Sometimes when talking to the customer that terminology means nothing to them and you need to use terms like wires instead of conductors, or plug instead of cord cap, pipe or tubing instead of raceway.

To me "fixture whip" means any wiring method allowed to be run from a junction box to a "luminaire" typically in a length allowed to be unsecured and/or unsupported.
 
Strife said:
MC stands for Metal Clad...
Yeah, MC is a 3/8" "armor" around 3, 4 or 5 conductors. AC is a 3/8" armor around 2,3, or 4 conductors. Fixture whips are a 3/8 armor around (usually) 3 conductors.
Other than technicalities PRAY TELL what's the different between an MC and a fixture whip?
I use MC as a general term of what its name is:"METAL CLAD" and as my post was tongue in cheek (for the most part) sorry for being politically incorrect.
Click to expand...

This may help;

ARTICLE 330 Metal-Clad Cable: Type MC
ARTICLE 320 Armored Cable: Type AC
ARTICLE 348 Flexible Metal Conduit: Type FMC
ARTICLE 360 Flexible Metallic Tubing: Type FMT


Notice that there are specific article for each and each can be 3/8" or there abouts.
;)

Roger
 
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