3 prong light fixtures adapted to 2 prong outlets- OK per NEC?

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CPMcGlinn

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Greensburg, IN, Decatur
My facility has many 2 prong 115vac outlets installed in the overhead space in many production/storage areas; new permanent 3 pronged light fixtures have been installed and plugged into these existing 2 prong outlets, using 3-to-2 prong adapters. Is this arrangement compliant with the NEC? Is this type installation "grandfathered"?
 
Are these fixtures listed with cord and plug or were they installed by the electricians. IMO, this does not sound compliant as there is no equipment grounding conductor provided to the fixture
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Are these fixtures listed with cord and plug or were they installed by the electricians. IMO, this does not sound compliant as there is no equipment grounding conductor provided to the fixture
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Also, some linear fluorescent fixtures will not start reliably unless the sheet metal is grounded.
 
CPMcGlinn said:
My facility has many 2 prong 115vac outlets installed in the overhead space in many production/storage areas; new permanent 3 pronged light fixtures have been installed and plugged into these existing 2 prong outlets, using 3-to-2 prong adapters. Is this arrangement compliant with the NEC? Is this type installation "grandfathered"?
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They are "standard" T5 and/or T8 fixtures, installed by local contractors;as near as I can tell by visual observation from the floor, the cord and plug does not appear to have been modified (other than the use of the 3-to-2 prong adapters)...
 
CPMcGlinn said:
They are "standard" T5 and/or T8 fixtures, installed by local contractors;as near as I can tell by visual observation from the floor, the cord and plug does not appear to have been modified (other than the use of the 3-to-2 prong adapters)...
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Is there some other grounding mechanism (not sufficient for NEC or manufacturers' instructions of course) such as chain suspended from building steel?

The receptacles may be grandfathered, but plugging new luminaires into them would not be.

If (as is rarely if ever done) the adapters are attached to the center screw of the receptacle and the receptacle is mounted in a bonded/grounded metal box, then the installation might be compliant.
 
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I do not see anywhere where the NEC allows new fixtures to be installed without an equipment grounding conductor unless it meets the exception in 410.44 -- one is to install a gfci ahead of the circuit if there is no equipment grounding conductor present.

What kind of wiring is at this site?
 
"After further review": A. The fixtures are suspended by 3 observed different methods: 1) Steel wire looped around perlins and trusses; 2) All-thread beam clamped to building steel; and 3) Chains looped around building steel [or beam-clamped in some instances]. Obviously, not the most ideal installation scenario... Also, B. I can't tell if the plugs have been replaced or if the lights came with that particular style- it is definitely not a "molded cord and plug" set. C. Lastly, as questioned in earlier replies, it doesn't appear that any of the ground tabs on the 3-to-2 prong adapters have been connected to the center screw of the 2-prong receptacles...
 
CPMcGlinn said:
My facility has many 2 prong 115vac outlets installed in the overhead space in many production/storage areas; new permanent 3 pronged light fixtures have been installed and plugged into these existing 2 prong outlets, using 3-to-2 prong adapters. Is this arrangement compliant with the NEC? Is this type installation "grandfathered"?
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It is not a NEC issue.
 
brother said:
I would think it would be an NEC issue if the fixtures were not installed per the manufacturers instructions. Most say to use a 'grounded system' if they have the 3 prong male cord.
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90.4 Enforcement. This Code is intended to be suitable
for mandatory application by governmental bodies that exercise
legal jurisdiction over electrical installations, including
signaling and communications systems, and for use by
insurance inspectors.

110.3 Examination, Identification, Installation, and Use
of Equipment.
(B) Installation and Use. Listed or labeled equipment
shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions
included in the listing or labeling.

Is what I plug into a receptacle really an installation or is it a use of premises wiring?

I think of it as the difference between real estate and personal properly. In my words, the NEC address attached electric. Yes it also address temporary installations but that's a different animal.
 
jxofaltrds said:
90.4 Enforcement. This Code is intended to be suitable
for mandatory application by governmental bodies that exercise
legal jurisdiction over electrical installations, including
signaling and communications systems, and for use by
insurance inspectors.

110.3 Examination, Identification, Installation, and Use
of Equipment.
(B) Installation and Use. Listed or labeled equipment
shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions
included in the listing or labeling.

Is what I plug into a receptacle really an installation or is it a use of premises wiring?

I think of it as the difference between real estate and personal properly. In my words, the NEC address attached electric. Yes it also address temporary installations but that's a different animal.
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How many cord and plug connected luminaires are acceptable to be considered premises wiring and equipment? Chances are these luminaires are considered part of the facility - especially if there is no other lighting sources in that particular space. It would be different if the lights were frequently moved from one receptacle to another in normal operation, then they likely would not be considered to be part of the real property of the building.
 
kwired said:
How many cord and plug connected luminaires are acceptable to be considered premises wiring and equipment? Chances are these luminaires are considered part of the facility - especially if there is no other lighting sources in that particular space. It would be different if the lights were frequently moved from one receptacle to another in normal operation, then they likely would not be considered to be part of the real property of the building.
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You don't move your refrigerator and its (usually) not considered real estate.
 
jxofaltrds said:
You don't move your refrigerator and its (usually) not considered real estate.
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Many refrigerators are moved when an owner/occupant moves out, the luminaires in the OP very well may be considered fixed part of the building though, just so happens the NEC does allow them to be cord and plug connected in certain instances. Getting outside the application of NEC, if there is no other illumination sources, these are probably considered to be part of the building, if they are additional lighting for specific tasks then it becomes more questionable as to whether they are personal property or part of the real estate.
 
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