Fine Homebuilding Magazine & Undercabinet Lighting

[flightline]

Ya? know, sometimes you can really learn something from these forums that sticks in your mind. On a prior thread about low-voltage under/over cabinet lighting, I was reminded about the restriction with respect to putting low voltage wiring within walls, [Article 411]. That has always stuck with me.

So I was surprised to read an article in ? Fine Homebuilding ?, written by a Robert C. Grey, an electrician working in Brookfield Conn. If you subscribe, it is on pages 62 through 66.

There were some things that I felt were not correct in the article. While I do not have my current NEC at hand when writing this, I do have my Chicago Electrical Code and I?m pretty sure these are comparable articles. The first thing that I believe incorrect is the author?s statement: ? Don?t put lights on a 20-amp circuit ?. ? When tapping into the power source, keep in mind that the National Electrical Code (NEC) requires lighting to be on a 15-amp circuit ?. Is this not contradicted by 210.23 (a), 240-4, and especially 411.6?

Another problem is that the author suggests the use of landscape lighting cable be fished in the walls, ? rather than NM cable because the wire is smaller, is more flexible, and looks better ?. Fine reasons I?m sure but none of which seem to have the ability to contradict the rules of 411.4. What do you think?

What is worrisome is that, if I am correct in my understanding, then Fine Homebuilding and the author, Mr. Grey, are erroneously directing people who don?t know better to violate the code. Perhaps I?m all wet; that?s why I?d like your opinion. If you would like to contact Fine Homebuilding's [fh@taunton.com] editorial department, please feel free to do so.

 

[Guest]

Re: Fine Homebuilding Magazine & Undercabinet Lighting

There is a residential cheat sheet for electrical codes also put out by Taunton Press called Code Check Electrical: A Field Guide to Wiring a Safe House

I have found some erratum. I wrote to one of the authors and he denied it. I scanned the pages and sent them to him and he said, "you're right". There has been no communication since. I figured he would tell me how to get it fixed.

I just sent an email to Taunton Press.

Back to your issue: Low-voltage can run at high-amperage so the danger of over-amping the wire is critical. LV wire should be run in an appropriate manner when it is concealed, and should be of the appropriate AWG. Putting outdoor UG lamp cord in your walls would not be an appropriate installation. Did they show him standing on a 5-gallon bucket on the tip-top of his 3' ladder so he could reach those ceiling runs?

[ September 30, 2003, 04:02 PM: Message edited by: awwt ]

 

[renosteinke]

Re: Fine Homebuilding Magazine & Undercabinet Lighting

I also just read the article. I agree that the author mis-stated the NEC; I think he was confused by the 50 (not 15) amp limit on lighting circuits.
I thought about his use of wire that is sold for use (above or below ground) with outdoor lighting of the "Malibu" type. On balance, I don't have a problem with it being used.

One thing that does concern me is the author installing his low-voltage dimmer in the same box as other household line-voltage appliances. Where this is done, the different systems need to be separated, identified, and all insulation must be suitable for the highest voltage present. Most low-voltage wire is tested only to 100 volts- slightliy less than the 120 we use, and a lot less than the 220 present if we have a multi-wire circuit present.