ballest accessiblity

[c gat]

Trying to find somthing in the code book about ballest accessibilty, mainly recessed can flouresent lighting. Would like to know if the ballest has to be readily accessible or just accessible and if its not, does the cobe require the ballest to be remote wired.

Thanks, Cole

 

[kwired]

First lets look at art 100 definitions:

Accessible (as applied to equipment). Admitting close approach; not guarded by locked doors, elevation, or other effective means.

Accessible (as applied to wiring methods). Capable of being removed or exposed without damaging the building structure or finish or not permanently closed in by the structure or finish of the building

Accessible, Readily (Readily Accessible). Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections without requiring those to whom ready access is requisite to climb over or remove obstacles or to resort to portable ladders, and so forth.

If it needed to be readily accessible it would have to be remotely installed in almost all installations.

Accessible as applied to wiring methods essentially just means you need to be able to get to it without demolition of the building finish. It does not mention how easy or difficult gaining access may be. Servicing fluorescent can ballasts is never easy but they are designed to be "accessible".

 

[iwire]

In my opinion when dealing with listed equipment such as a fixture the NEC has little to say about it. The ballast accessibility would be a listing standard issue.

 

[c gat]

i know that the code does not go into much detail about this subject. The ballest can be accessed by removing the trim and socket, but in this case there are 2 advance mark 7 ballest firing 3 42 watt tripple tubes that are placed as the covers of the junction box on the can with an em ballest behind that. You can access the 1st ballest but not the other two due to they are 40' up and a solid sheetrock celing, so your only access is through the can trim opening wich in my opinion would meam that the ballest are not accessible

 

[iwire]

i know that the code does not go into much detail about this subject. The ballest can be accessed by removing the trim and socket, but in this case there are 2 advance mark 7 ballest firing 3 42 watt tripple tubes that are placed as the covers of the junction box on the can with an em ballest behind that. You can access the 1st ballest but not the other two due to they are 40' up and a solid sheetrock celing, so your only access is through the can trim opening wich in my opinion would meam that the ballest are not accessible

I feel your pain but in my opinion that is entirely NEC compliant.