exposed mc cable fixture length

[mjmike]

Can exposed MC cable to a pendant light fixture be 6' in length without being secured or supported? I don't think the aircraft cable to the fixture can be used for securing or supporting. It appears 330.30(D)(2) is only applied to areas within an accessible ceiling and does not appear to cover exposed MC cable. Trying to figure out how to power light fixtures that are suspended with aircraft cable further than 6' from the ceiling. The solution appears to be to have horizontal whips from the wall out to the fixtures.

 

[Strathead]

Can exposed MC cable to a pendant light fixture be 6' in length without being secured or supported? I don't think the aircraft cable to the fixture can be used for securing or supporting. It appears 330.30(D)(2) is only applied to areas within an accessible ceiling and does not appear to cover exposed MC cable. Trying to figure out how to power light fixtures that are suspended with aircraft cable further than 6' from the ceiling. The solution appears to be to have horizontal whips from the wall out to the fixtures.

Why don't you think the aircraft cable can be used as a support?

 

[jumper]

Ditto on Strats reply.

Pretty common IME.

 

[infinity]

Ditto on Strats reply.

Pretty common IME.

Same here even with fixture chain.

 

[mjmike]

Same here even with fixture chain.

I was thinking the support and securing could not be from the fixture support because it is not rigid. I'm think I was wrong. So the MC cable drop to a pendant fixture can be say any length if it is strapped to the fixture aircraft cable?

 

[jumper]

I was thinking the support and securing could not be from the fixture support because it is not rigid. I'm think I was wrong. So the MC cable drop to a pendant fixture can be say any length if it is strapped to the fixture aircraft cable?

Yes.

 

[mjmike]

Does 330.30(D)(2) is only apply to areas within an accessible ceiling and not exposed mc cable?

 

[mjmike]

Yes.

thanks.

 

[roger]

Now that you know you can strap it to cable you will need to use stranded conductor MC, see 410.56(E)

Roger

 

[infinity]

Now that you know you can strap it to cable you will need to use stranded conductor MC, see 410.56(E)

Roger

I've tossed that one around before in my head but IMO it sounds more like it applies to the zip cord used to feed a chain hung chandelier than to MC cable which is implied by the title of that section: 410.56 Protection of Conductors and Insulation.

 

[roger]

Rob, I don't see where it would be specific to one type of cord, cable, or conductor.

I can see where solid conductors could be a problem if the fixture had much movement.

Roger

 

[infinity]

I know that we've discussed this before and in the past I have agreed with your position that was until I looked at the entire section as a whole. In doing so I see nothing in (A)-(F) that would include a cable. Dennis wrote a proposal for the 2014 for a clarification but it was rejected because according to the CMP the wiring with MC is not applicable to that section. What do you think?

18-73 Log #810 NEC-P18 Final Action: Reject
(410.56(E))
________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Dennis Alwon, Alwon Electric Inc.
Recommendation: Add new text to read as follows:
Stranding. Stranded conductors shall be used for wiring on luminaire chains
and on other moveable or flexible parts.
Exception: Where run in a flexible cable, cord or raceway
Substantiation: As written the section will not allow MC or other cables to be
run down to a fluorescent fixture that is hung from jack chain. It does not
appear to be the intent however as written it is interpreted that way in some
areas. This method of wiring fluorescents has been common practice for as
long as I can remember and I have never seen an issue with this type of install.
Panel Meeting Action: Reject
Panel Statement: Part VI, “Wiring of Luminaires” does not apply to the
wiring to the luminaire just the wiring of the luminaire itself. Refer to Chapter
3 for Wiring Methods.
Number Eligible to Vote: 11
Ballot Results: Affirmative: 11

 

[roger]

I know that we've discussed this before and in the past I have agreed with your position that was until I looked at the entire section as a whole. In doing so I see nothing in (A)-(F) that would include a cable. Dennis wrote a proposal for the 2014 for a clarification but it was rejected because according to the CMP the wiring with MC is not applicable to that section. What do you think?

I think they were just made a bogus statement. If part VI did not apply to the wiring to the luminaire what are 410.59 and 410.62 doing in there?

Roger