can light junction boxes

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SceneryDriver

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Location
NJ
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Electrical and Automation Designer
I just had a thought regarding can lights - specifically new work can lights - and their junction boxes. How does the code reconcile the junction box placement on those cans with the fact that junction boxes must remain accessible? I'm thinking of lights like this:

http://www.residential-landscape-lighting-design.com/store/images/HALO_H27ICT.jpg

I can think of plenty of cans with j-boxes I can't service without tearing out drywall. Why is that OK? I can't bury a 4" j-box in the ceiling, after all. Are these cans built to supposedly be able to remove the can to gain access? I just don't see that happening in the real world.



SceneryDriver
 
You pull the trim out, then disassemble the can from the frame and work on the J-box from there. That is why the J-box has covers on both sides.

HALO_H27ICT.jpg


Not saying it is easy, just how it the NEC looks at it.
 
I can't think of any can that doesn't have access to the JB. The problem is when they use that hard foam. Then it becomes a mess-- I will not install a can in that stuff.
 
iwire said:
You pull the trim out, then disassemble the can from the frame and work on the J-box from there. That is why the J-box has covers on both sides.

HALO_H27ICT.jpg


Not saying it is easy, just how it the NEC looks at it.
Click to expand...

I suppose that's true. It's that reality makes theory rather unpleasant at times.


SceneryDriver
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I can't think of any can that doesn't have access to the JB. The problem is when they use that hard foam. Then it becomes a mess-- I will not install a can in that stuff.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Sprayed foam is lovely for its insulating qualities, but a nightmare for us sparkys, especially when trying to fish cable through an existing wall. One of the many reasons I like conduit. ;)


SceneryDriver
 
A good flexible shaft fish/drill can often get through foam as easily as it does horizontal fire stops, but I would not want to make a career of it. :)
 
I always check to make sure they are working before drywall. While you can get in there if you have to it ain't easy IMO. Good idea to leave the wires a little on the long side too.
 
GerryB said:
I always check to make sure they are working before drywall. While you can get in there if you have to it ain't easy IMO. Good idea to leave the wires a little on the long side too.
Click to expand...


I have never tested them before drywall and I have put in many thousands of the Halo cans in my life and I never had a failure.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I have never tested them before drywall and I have put in many thousands of the Halo cans in my life and I never had a failure.
Click to expand...
The new connectors they have now in Halo and some others are pretty nice. You can see the wire seat all the way in. I guess I had a failure with a fixture wire pulling out of the wirenut when tucking in the wires. Usually my contractors want some light in the room so if I could I give them a switch and check the lights and give them a few bulbs. (Are you sure Dennis? Not one?:D)
 
GerryB said:
(Are you sure Dennis? Not one?:D)
Click to expand...
Let's say I don't remember any. We used wirenuts for many many years and we always tugged on it before we pushed it back in the box. I think the only trouble we had was with 4" cans where the afci were tripping because the sockets had a problem
 
iwire said:
You pull the trim out, then disassemble the can from the frame and work on the J-box from there. That is why the J-box has covers on both sides.

HALO_H27ICT.jpg


Not saying it is easy, just how it the NEC looks at it.
Click to expand...
I have had to deal with recessed light junction boxes a few times. One time, the guy that installed the lights years before barley left enough wire in them to make his splice. I eventually gave up and grabbed the drywall saw and cut around the light for the box, my patience ran out. Best line on my contract......"Drywall and Paint Repair not included in price"....:D
 
dennis, how long ago was the issue with halo 4" and bulbs just curious. I installed some Halos yesterday and encouraged the homeowner to install a AFCI since the wiring in the rest of the basement was mostly DIY stuff .
 
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