Fixture Boxes

A

Alwayslearningelec

Senior Member
Location
NJ
Occupation
Estimator
How do you guys see fixture whips and fixtures boxes( quantity etc.) changing for 2x2. 2x4's etc. when install in 2x2 recessed grid clg(accessible). vs gyp board(non accessible) ceiling?
 
What is the wiring method? For MC cable no whips needed for a Sheetrock ceiling.
 
Alwayslearningelec said:
That I get but I believe I've always hear the field using whip for each fixture and maybe a common box for a 4 fixtures that the whips tie to.
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That's one way of doing it but with a sheetrock ceiling it's no longer code compliant to have to remove the fixture to access the box. Needless to say that the way it was done for 120 years.
 
infinity said:
That's one way of doing it but with a sheetrock ceiling it's no longer code compliant to have to remove the fixture to access the box. Needless to say that the way it was done for 120 years.
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So essentially you CAN'T in any case install a fixture box above a sheetrock ceiling? I assume if access door was installed you could.
 
A popular installation on new houses in this area involves the "pop in" LED fixtures where the driver and j box are connected to the luminaire by a factory cord.
Slack romex is left above the sheetrock ceiling and holes are cut for the fixture once the desired location is determined, romex is connected to the jbox which is then placed on the sheet rock and the fixture installed in the hole.
On the surface this seems to meet 410.118 as the j box is "part of the fixture" but the box ends up not securely fastened and the Romex is not secured within 8" of the box yet these routinely pass inspection.
Is there a method to install these and comply with the NEC,
 
infinity said:
That's one way of doing it but with a sheetrock ceiling it's no longer code compliant to have to remove the fixture to access the box. Needless to say that the way it was done for 120 years.
Click to expand...
In a lot of commercial buildings, bathrooms can't be removable ceiling tiles for privacy issues. I think he's talking about the trim kits that you can use so you can install a standard 2x4 troffer. In that case, you can have a junction box that is accessible.
 
Rick 0920 said:
In a lot of commercial buildings, bathrooms can't be removable ceiling tiles for privacy issues. I think he's talking about the trim kits that you can use so you can install a standard 2x4 troffer. In that case, you can have a junction box that is accessible.
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How is the junction box accessible is there an access door?



augie47 said:
Is there a method to install these and comply with the NEC,
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Nope. There should be an exception for these wafer lights.
 
augie47 said:
A popular installation on new houses in this area involves the "pop in" LED fixtures where the driver and j box are connected to the luminaire by a factory cord.
Slack romex is left above the sheetrock ceiling and holes are cut for the fixture once the desired location is determined, romex is connected to the jbox which is then placed on the sheet rock and the fixture installed in the hole.
On the surface this seems to meet 410.118 as the j box is "part of the fixture" but the box ends up not securely fastened and the Romex is not secured within 8" of the box yet these routinely pass inspection.
Is there a method to install these and comply with the NEC,
Click to expand...
I installed these when my daughter finished her basement. We laid out the locations of all the lights, I properly affixed the NM to the driver box, and mounted the box on a floor joist. After the Sheetrock was hung, we cut holes for the lights, connected the pigtails together and snapped them in. The key is to know where the lights will be located.

I suppose with a 6” disk, you could secure the box and NM through the hole, but that would be virtually impossible with 4” disks.
 
retirede said:
I suppose with a 6” disk, you could secure the box and NM through the hole, but that would be virtually impossible with 4” disks.
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You're correct that it can be done even in existing ceilings. For 6" no problem, for 4" the joist has to be close and it can be done. FWIW as Augie was asking just about no one is bothering to fasten them in existing ceilings.
 
infinity said:
You're correct that it can be done even in existing ceilings. For 6" no problem, for 4" the joist has to be close and it can be done. FWIW as Augie was asking just about no one is bothering to fasten them in existing ceilings.
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Correct and often there is no framing member close enough (considering the short 'output' cord) to fasten the box.
On the old can lights the box was part of the can light assembly and mounted to it.
Seemingly these new fixtures do not take NEC requirements into account.
 
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