Fixture whips

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sw_ross

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Can someone steer me towards the code reference for fixture whips? I’m in 410 but can’t find it.
Common 6ft fixture whips seem to be #14 or #16 conductors. Usually commercial lighting is 20 amp circuits.
I just need to read over the requirements before putting together an estimate for LED troffer’s in a commercial building.
Thanks
 
410.117 is likely the reference you need.
240.5(B)(2) allows the smaller conductors on a 20 amp circuit.
250.118 limits the length to 6 ft if the flex is the equipment ground.
 
Fixture whips are usually made from 3/8" FMC. 3/8" FMC is limited to 6' in length with an EGC or not.

348.20 Size.
(A) Minimum. FMC less than metric designator 16 (trade size 1 ∕ 2 ) shall not be used unless permitted in 348.20(A)(1) through (A)(5) for
metric designator 12 (trade size 3 ∕ 8 ).
(1) For enclosing the leads of motors as permitted in 430.245(B)
(2) In lengths not in excess of 1.8 m (6 ft) for any of the following uses:
a. For utilization equipment

b. As part of a listed assembly
c. For tap connections to luminaires as permitted in 410.117(C)
 
Yes certainly. I have always been torn, for new installs, between Daisy chaining them together with MC vs the whip and box method. Some of these newer led things with super small jboxes make the whip method the way to go.
Some of these LED can light boxes are incredibly small. I did a lighting showroom for a manufacture, 3- #12 cut to about 2” would barely fit using wago’s!
 
Fixture wire types as noted in 402 would be permitted per 240.4(E)(2) and 240.5(B)(2). If conductors for general wiring (as noted in 310, such as THWN etc.) used in sizes smaller than branch circuit overcurrent protection, I don’t see that this type of tap is permitted.
 
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