My work wants me to install low voltage lighting in a movie theater area for step lighting. The lighting is listed movie theater lighting 12V, 100W, Class 2 lighting. They have asked me to run bare wires under the carpet and under wood trim. I have concerns about the conductors being subject to damage, carpet glue on the wires and it would just not be professional looking. The lights are 12V and they do not want to use the 12V, 100W transformer because it is too bright. They cut a power cord for old equipment that was 8V and have it temporarily hooked up and it is now dim and pulling 25ma. I believe that the lighting should be on the 12V, 100W transformer and a dimmer added. I also believe that none of the wires should be under the carpet and/or wood trim. It means a lot more work for everyone but a more professional job, with-in code and done correctly. Thoughts? :blink:
Class 2 Lighting
- Thread starter iWire4U
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
The intensity of LED lighting will not be proportional to the applied voltage. This is because there will be a near constant voltage drop across the string of LEDs. Below a threshhold voltage there will be no light at all.
If they are just for convenience, with no regulatory standard, you still must not use them outside their UL listing. Is the 8V transformer also a listed Class 2 supply? I doubt it.
If these lights are required for safety and not just for convenience, there is no way you or he should be using them other than as the manufacturer intended.
If they are just for convenience, with no regulatory standard, you still must not use them outside their UL listing. Is the 8V transformer also a listed Class 2 supply? I doubt it.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Did I miss where the OP indicated it was LED?
I have installed incandescent theater aisle lighting.
CLASS 2 Cable /Physical Damage
CLASS 2 Cable /Physical Damage
My work wants to fish CMUC cable under carpet for Class 2 (12V 100W) LED lighting. My concerns are that a fished cable under carpet is subject to physical damage. I know that CMUC cable may be used under carpet, but I believe that unless the cable is installed and secured, it would move and be damaged or carpet glue would get on the cable and damage the cable. Thought?
CLASS 2 Cable /Physical Damage
My work wants to fish CMUC cable under carpet for Class 2 (12V 100W) LED lighting. My concerns are that a fished cable under carpet is subject to physical damage. I know that CMUC cable may be used under carpet, but I believe that unless the cable is installed and secured, it would move and be damaged or carpet glue would get on the cable and damage the cable. Thought?
GrayHair
Senior Member
- Location
- Nashville, TN
Over five decades since I worked in a movie theater, but if the carpeted aisles weren't cleaned surprisingly often, spilled soft drinks made them very sticky. Several soft drinks use phosphoric as a flavor enhancer, some use more than others. IIRC health groups have sued Coke several times over the amount of phosphoric acid in their products. Is there any information on the effect of acids on CMUC cable?
CM says communications cable to me, yet this sounds like it would fall under 725. Where does CMUC stand in the substitution hierarchy? Is it suitable for commercial use?
CM says communications cable to me, yet this sounds like it would fall under 725. Where does CMUC stand in the substitution hierarchy? Is it suitable for commercial use?
mwm1752
Senior Member
- Location
- Aspen, Colo
100w 12v power source exceeds class 2- 5 amp limits unless there are current limiters as part of the transformer. -- Chapter 9 Tbl 11(A) & (B)
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