1996 NEC Article 410-31

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Michael Park

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I am involved in a project where we have installed recessed accent lighting in drywall ceiling bulkheads. The fixtures are tied together with EMT conduit and FMC, and contain only conductors of the multiwire branch circuits dedicated for lighting. Upon inspection of the installation, the code official for the AHJ stated that the fixtures must be listed as a raceway in order for the installation to be approved. I responded to this that according to the 1996 NEC, to which the project is contractually bound, Artcle 410-31, exception 2, dictates that the listing is not necessary. The code official then issued a statement stating that the exception 2 only applied to contiuously joined fixtures, and that the 2002 NEC clarified this by removing the exceptions to 410-31 and added 410-32. I have responded that the statement is false since Article 410-32 of the 2002 NEC still recognizes fixtures connected together with approved wiring methods do not require listings as a raceway. Could you please give me you opinion on this matter at your convenience?

Thank You.
 
Michael Park said:
The code official then issued a statement stating that the exception 2 only applied to contiuously joined fixtures,
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In my opinion the code official is making stuff up as he goes.

And even if a change in the rules had been made you only have to meet the code you where permitted under.
 
He's thinking of strip lights and that you can't pull through them.

You're can lights have a pull / junction box, which makes it permissible.
 
1996 NEC Article 410-31

The fixtures are a recessed accent fixture with a recessed can suitable for damp location and concrete encasement. Ther fixture has multiple facxtory KO's and has adequate wiring space for terminations.
 
Michael
Just curious.
Are you involved with a job that is currently being installed to the '96 NEC? If so, how is that?


I also agree that the listing/construction of your fixture may be so that you can install them as you have explained.
What is the fixture, and do you have a model number? That way we can be sure of what you are trying to install.
 
1996 NEC Article 410-31

The project was designed many years ago and to prevent issues with possible code changes, the designers specified that the job was to be performed under the 1996 NEC. That is how is was permitted as well.

In regard to the fixture, it is a Belfer #3510BHL.
 
1996 NEC Article 410-31

The fixture is not on the Belfer website anymore. This doesn't seem to be relevant to my issue. Based on the code, the raceway listing for the fixtures is not required. If I was using the fixture as a raceway for other circuitry it would be relevant. We are not. The code is specific in that the fixture doesn't require a raceway listing if it is connected together by recognized wiring means and the conductors are solely for the lighting fixtures on the two wire or multiwire branch circuit.
 
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