closet fluorescent

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jetlag

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Eatonton, Georgia
Can you use the interior of a surface mount fluorescent to make the connections to supply lines with out having a j box ? I see it all the time and use toggle bolts to mount the fixture , I have just left the 14/2 stubbed out without a box for 2 closet lights.
 
jetlag said:
Can you use the interior of a surface mount fluorescent to make the connections to supply lines with out having a j box ? I see it all the time and use toggle bolts to mount the fixture , I have just left the 14/2 stubbed out without a box for 2 closet lights.
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Typically the fixture is listed for such use. I am not aware of one that is not. I hope not anyway because I never think to look anymore. :)
 
I'd cut in or install a box,if it was made to mount to a 3/0 or 4/0,but thats just me.
I think surface mount fixtures mounted directly to the ceiling without a box behind them is an unprofessional way of doing things.
I went to a house one time to replace all of the ceiling fixtures and found out that none of them had boxes behind them.
While it may have worked ok for the 1st install, it didnt for everything after that.
 
I take back everything I just said.
I didnt realize he was talking about a flourescent strip fixture.

I do that also.

JAP.
 
jap said:
I'd cut in or install a box,if it was made to mount to a 3/0 or 4/0,but thats just me.
I think surface mount fixtures mounted directly to the ceiling without a box behind them is an unprofessional way of doing things.
I went to a house one time to replace all of the ceiling fixtures and found out that none of them had boxes behind them.
While it may have worked ok for the 1st install, it didnt for everything after that.
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its the small 20 watt for closet that mounts on wall above door. Not quite the same as a heavy fixture on the ceiling. But most I have seen in a ceiling that had a box was because the fluoresent had replaced and old fixture with a box. I cant see where the box does much good . It wont support a 36 '' or more fixture because the fixture will sag on the ends if dont use toggle bolts or screw into rafters.
 
I believe it depends on the type of fixture. If the fluorescent strip fixture has a "service tray" (a separate compartment that houses the ballast and wiring), then it's likely listed to allow making the connections in that compartment.

But there are small (18" or 24" long) fluorescent strip fixtures where there is no service tray (i.e., the ballast and wiring are "exposed" under the lens, in the same place as the bulbs). For those, it is not permitted to make your connections inside the fixture and you must install a junction box. I'm currently installing such a fixture in a closet being converted to a wine cooler, and the fixture has a manufacturers warning label inside specifically stating "Do not make electrical connections inside the fixture." (I don't have the light in front of me, so that's not a direct quote of the warning; I'm going by memory.)
 
Jon456 said:
I believe it depends on the type of fixture. If the fluorescent strip fixture has a "service tray" (a separate compartment that houses the ballast and wiring), then it's likely listed to allow making the connections in that compartment.

But there are small (18" or 24" long) fluorescent strip fixtures where there is no service tray (i.e., the ballast and wiring are "exposed" under the lens, in the same place as the bulbs). For those, it is not permitted to make your connections inside the fixture and you must install a junction box. I'm currently installing such a fixture in a closet being converted to a wine cooler, and the fixture has a manufacturers warning label inside specifically stating "Do not make electrical connections inside the fixture." (I don't have the light in front of me, so that's not a direct quote of the warning; I'm going by memory.)
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If what you say is true, then why do these smaller fixtures without service trays still have KO's instead of large openings?

Why don't the fixtures come like shown below if you aren't allowed to splice inside of them and have to use a box in the fashion pictured below?

1100705630_2.jpg
 
thanks jon

thanks jon

Jon456 said:
I believe it depends on the type of fixture. If the fluorescent strip fixture has a "service tray" (a separate compartment that houses the ballast and wiring), then it's likely listed to allow making the connections in that compartment.

But there are small (18" or 24" long) fluorescent strip fixtures where there is no service tray (i.e., the ballast and wiring are "exposed" under the lens, in the same place as the bulbs). For those, it is not permitted to make your connections inside the fixture and you must install a junction box. I'm currently installing such a fixture in a closet being converted to a wine cooler, and the fixture has a manufacturers warning label inside specifically stating "Do not make electrical connections inside the fixture." (I don't have the light in front of me, so that's not a direct quote of the warning; I'm going by memory.)
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Well I wouldnt want a fixture with the ballast not covered, when they start going bad that black tar starts to ooze out and would fall on the floor.
 
jetlag said:
Well I wouldnt want a fixture with the ballast not covered, when they start going bad that black tar starts to ooze out and would fall on the floor.
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Many fixtures have a lens that covers everything, but once the lens is removed the lamps, ballast, and wiring is all exposed. There is no second cover inside to cover the ballast and wiring. I believe that is what he is speaking about.
 
Thanks m4gery

Thanks m4gery

M4gery said:
Many fixtures have a lens that covers everything, but once the lens is removed the lamps, ballast, and wiring is all exposed. There is no second cover inside to cover the ballast and wiring. I believe that is what he is speaking about.
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Well I wont be using those because there is a big mix up on how to wire it , If you get some kind of bushing to put in the 1/2 k o to fit the tiny fixture wire then you have covered up the outlet box with fluoresent fixture which is a violation. Most dont have the large k o so you butcher it with a pair of snips. Then you have a fixture that when you remove lens you can see an open outlet box with the wires crammed in and also see your sheet metal handy work. That doesent seem very professional to me.
 
jaylectricity said:
If the fixture comes with 1/2" KOs, it is OK to junction the wires inside the fixture with no external box.
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Jon456 says that's not the case, that some fixtures won't allow the splices inside the fixture.

What I find odd is if there are fixtures that don't allow the splices to be made inside, why do they still have KO's? Why not have the large opening required to be over a box like in the diagram I posted earlier?
 
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