18 gauge wire part of light fixture

8

82angelfan

Member
Location
Hesperia, Ca
Got called by Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety for 18/8 SO cord that is part of a UL listed light fixture (lighted mirror). He is giving codes for ampacities on breakers 20 amp 277V circuit. This is same SO cord that I have seen on pendant strip fixtures and pendant hung table lights. What information can I provide to convince the inspector that the installation is good? I showed him UL listing but he still didn't buy it.
 
They're incorrect if the cord is used as part of the listing of the luminaries. Take a look at 400.16.

400.16 Overcurrent Protection.
Flexible cords not smaller than 18 AWG, and tinsel cords or cords having equivalent characteristics of smaller size approved for use with specific appliances, shall be considered as protected against overcurrent in accordance with 240.5.
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240.5(B)(1) Supply Cord of Listed Appliance or Luminaire.
Where flexible cord or tinsel cord is approved for and used with a specific listed appliance or luminaire, it shall be considered to be protected when applied within the appliance or luminaire listing requirements. For the purposes of this section, a luminaire may be either portable or permanent.
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How is the cord connected to the building wiring? I know may of these mirrors expect the installer to run the cord inside the wall to a flush mounted box which should not be done. On many residential projects I see an open splice to NM cable behind the mirror.

Just curious...........why would a mirror need 8 conductors?
 
curt swartz said:
How is the cord connected to the building wiring? I know may of these mirrors expect the installer to run the cord inside the wall to a flush mounted box which should not be done. On many residential projects I see an open splice to NM cable behind the mirror.

Just curious...........why would a mirror need 8 conductors?
Click to expand...
It needs 7, the 8th wire is capped. (1)hot, (2)neutral, (3) nightlight hot, (4) nightlight neutral, (5) dimmer +, (6)dimmer -, (7) ground
 
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