Does Fixture Cord need to be #12gauge?

[Lbartowski]

If it's over 6' long? I have linear pendants and the factory provided whips aren't long enough.

I need to replace them with longer cable, and they'll be over 6' long.

I appreciate your feedback.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

If you are planning to use flex as a raceway to the jb then imo, #12 is needed assuming the circuit is 20 amp. Of course all strapping and support rules would apply

 

[Lbartowski]

Thanks. It is a 20 amp circuit. I'm replacing the factory provided white pendant cord with a longer white cord or "luminaire cable".

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Oh, not sure that is OK..... You are messing with the listing of the product. I would check with the authority having jurisdiction before I did that.

 

[augie47]

The answer may lie in some details we don't have but make sure on look at 410.62 to assure your install complies.
As Dennis points out, altering a factory fixture with cord may change the game plan as 410.62(C)(1)(c) no longer applies.

 

[infinity]

If you could replace the cords I would just use the same gauge as the existing cords.

 

[augie47]

If you could replace the cords I would just use the same gauge as the existing cords.

I post reluctantly as anytime I disagree with you I turn out to be mistaken
that said, IMO, if you replace the cord with anything other than a factory replacement and use a size not meeting the requirements of 400.5(A), you would no longer comply wit 240.5(B) and per 410.62(C) you would need to have cord & plug connections.
What am I overlooking ??

 

[infinity]

I post reluctantly as anytime I disagree with you I turn out to be mistaken
that said, IMO, if you replace the cord with anything other than a factory replacement and use a size not meeting the requirements of 400.5(A), you would no longer comply wit 240.5(B) and per 410.62(C) you would need to have cord & plug connections.
What am I overlooking ??

I'm saying replace it with a longer factory cord.

 

[augie47]

 

[LarryFine]

I'm saying replace it with a longer factory cord.

Or equivalent. Ampacity is dependent on conductor cross-section area, not length.

In other words, it shouldn't need to be larger just because it has been made longer.

 

[GoldDigger]

When you say "factory provided whips" are you talking about bare cords or wires in a flexible raceway?
When thinking of using same guage wire as original, determine whether they are using a smaller guage than expeted by using a listed fixture wire type.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

@Lbartowski It sounds like this is a pendant and the cord is not long enough to reach the junction box. Is that correct?

 

[Lbartowski]

Yes correct. 3' cords but the pendants hang down 9' and there is no dropped ceiling. It's exposed.

 

[brantmacga]

OP says a linear pendant..... a #12 3-conductor cord isn't going to fit in the KO. And also they're usually snapped in with one of those oval shaped plastic connectors.

You can get regular 3-conductor pendant cord on the internet from a variety of lamp shops. I've went through manufacturer reps in the past to get them to send me 5-conductor pendant cord when its the dimmable LED linears, if that's what you're dealing with.