Coach Lights, UF, etc.

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bjp_ne_elec

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When intalling coach lights on the outside of house, I have two (2) questions.

1. Are boxes required?
2. Does the wire have to be UF cable?

I have seen many installations where the Romex (not UF) pokes out of the wall, and the Coach Light gets mounted to those plastic blocks.

Thanks,

Brett
 
bjp_ne_elec said:
When intalling coach lights on the outside of house, I have two (2) questions.

1. Are boxes required?
2. Does the wire have to be UF cable?

I have seen many installations where the Romex (not UF) pokes out of the wall, and the Coach Light gets mounted to those plastic blocks.

Thanks,

Brett
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Your joking i hope.Yes required.No to the uf
 
JimW - not really kidding. I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something in the code, but I've seen many many installations - on new construction as well as old. On new houses, I've seen them roughed in, and on the front of the garages are a foot of Romex sticking out one of those plastic plates (where you would mount the coach light) and no box in sight.

I just went to look over a job, and one of the tasks was to replace the existing coach lights. I pulled one off, just to see what was behind it - sure enough not box. This particular job, the hole is drilled through the multiple studs that are on both sides of the header that supports the garage door framing. I don't even know how you'd get a box in there, unless you hacked up the studding.

I'm not saying I'd do it, but how are all these installations getting inspected?

Thanks,

Brett
 
bjp_ne_elec said:
JimW - not really kidding. I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something in the code, but I've seen many many installations - on new construction as well as old. On new houses, I've seen them roughed in, and on the front of the garages are a foot of Romex sticking out one of those plastic plates (where you would mount the coach light) and no box in sight.

I just went to look over a job, and one of the tasks was to replace the existing coach lights. I pulled one off, just to see what was behind it - sure enough not box. This particular job, the hole is drilled through the multiple studs that are on both sides of the header that supports the garage door framing. I don't even know how you'd get a box in there, unless you hacked up the studding.

I'm not saying I'd do it, but how are all these installations getting inspected?

Thanks,

Brett
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They were hoping not to get caught and it worked till now.One way out is to use a pancake box if the canopy is deep enough.
 
Someone will likely provide a link, but siding blocks are generally listed as boxes, I believe. I'm fairly sure Arlington makes a listed one, at least.

There have been threads on the use of romex for this. If I recall correctly, the majority opinion is that banning the use of romex for these applications would be too extreme, and most said they do use romex for this.

How's that for too lazy to look? :)
 
Some Arlington siding plates have integral boxes.

2-pg-8141F.jpg
 
Trevor they are a box.The OP asked if it was okay to NOT use a box at all.That would be a NO NO anywhere you go.
 
allenwayne said:
Trevor they are a box.The OP asked if it was okay to NOT use a box at all.That would be a NO NO anywhere you go.
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I have seen many installations where the Romex (not UF) pokes out of the wall, and the Coach Light gets mounted to those plastic blocks.
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The OP mentioned plastic blocks. IMO the Arlington things I posted could qualify as plastic blocks. Some plastic blocks are indeed junction boxes as indicated in my first post.
 
I'd think that the plastic blocks mentioned are the ones from the siding manufacturer where they just sit on top of the siding to provide a flat surface. In that case a box needs to be cut into the plastic block to sit flush with the surface.
 
We must be extra carefull with block, there has been a high rate of 8 inch blocks catching fire because of no boxes.Believe it,i had an inspector wanting to tag a jelly jar because the stuco wasnt patched.They have no gasket but he was worried because it had a gap of 1/2 inch.I might soon be in jail for killing him. He never had that friend of common sinse,hope his mom crawls out of front porch and bites him on the leg when he gets home.
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
We must be extra carefull with block, there has been a high rate of 8 inch blocks catching fire because of no boxes.Believe it,i had an inspector wanting to tag a jelly jar because the stuco wasnt patched.They have no gasket but he was worried because it had a gap of 1/2 inch.I might soon be in jail for killing him. He never had that friend of common sinse,hope his mom crawls out of front porch and bites him on the leg when he gets home.
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Such a nice way of describing him. I used to ask one inspector if it was okay if I stopped by the dog pound to see his mother.;)
 
Jim have you encountered the jurisdictions near here that require you to caulk all outside fixtures ???They specify silicon caulking as the only appropriate way to seal the fixture.These are inspected not by county inspectors but the individual city they are within.Same AHJ that called me out 3 years ago on staples not being tight enough ?????Just when you thought you saw it all.............:)
 
The gc is the one getting handed the problems.Like any commercial building they adjust it for the tenant and some are major changes.Love it when they just think they can open up a wall anyplace for a door or window.Inspector wants the exact print and it must be stamped.Makes me look good turning in them green sheets.
 
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