Daisy Chaining Fluorescent Luminaires

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Kal-EL

Kal-EL

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Is it a code violation to daisy chain fluorescent fixtures with MC Cable? If so a code reference please.
It was put to me that a fluorescent fixture does not have a box fill capacity therefore you can not daisy chain the MC.
 
Chris,
You need to look at the next section, 410.32 where this is specifically permitted even where the fixture is not listed as a raceway.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
Chris,
You need to look at the next section, 410.32 where this is specifically permitted even where the fixture is not listed as a raceway.
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Yep, you are right I should have kept on reading.:)

Thanks Don.

Chris
 
This is just another example of where the NFPA's move to "positive" language in an attempt to make the code easier to understand actually makes it harder. In the old codes the information in 410.32 was in the form of an exception to 410.32 making it very clear that there may be other options. With the current rule, there is no logical reason to read 410.32 after you have found your answer in 410.31.
 
Kal-EL said:
Is it a code violation to daisy chain fluorescent fixtures with MC Cable? If so a code reference please.
It was put to me that a fluorescent fixture does not have a box fill capacity therefore you can not daisy chain the MC.
Click to expand...

I do this ALL the time. Even if I buy fixtures pre-whipped (which I do sometimes so the bulbs are already in there), I rip the whips out, and daisy chain MC. IMO, using whips and 1900 boxes everywhere is more work. Never once have I had an issue with an inspector over this. I do typically try to keep only 2 cables per fixture.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
This is just another example of where the NFPA's move to "positive" language in an attempt to make the code easier to understand actually makes it harder. In the old codes the information in 410.32 was in the form of an exception to 410.31 making it very clear that there may be other options. With the current rule, there is no logical reason to read 410.32 after you have found your answer in 410.31.
Click to expand...
I had breakfast with another ME Sunday. We brought our code and Soars books right in the retaurant with us and spent 3 hours convincing ourselves about how little of it we realy knew!!:)

edit to correct code reference
 
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Just remember that a cable that supplies more than one fixture must be full-sized for the circuit.
 
There's no specific Code violation against daisy chaining fixture but most installs that do this which I see are in Code violation. They never support and secure the cables per 330.30.
 
nyerinfl said:
I do this ALL the time. Even if I buy fixtures pre-whipped (which I do sometimes so the bulbs are already in there), I rip the whips out, and daisy chain MC. IMO, using whips and 1900 boxes everywhere is more work. Never once have I had an issue with an inspector over this. I do typically try to keep only 2 cables per fixture.
Click to expand...

that seems like alot of extra work..but that is just my opinion..
 
I believe it is poor design to daisy chain all the fixtures as it requires you to interrupt the circuit to fix..wait you need to do it while they are off (like that is going to happen in a 24 hour chain store)..But in new code you need fancy disconnects which are good then janitor can be responsible..I do not daisy chain for the reason that it is easier to move fixtures around when they are not connected all together..It cost customer more to have me fix daisy chain so I can move fixtures..
 
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