Fixture Wips?

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

The Iceman

Senior Member
Location
Florida
I have a question about the 18 gauge fluorecsent fixture wips that come from the manufacturer. I don't understand why we can't use them to wire up more than one fixture? According to NEC 2005, Table 402.5, allowable ampacity for fixture wires, 18 gauge is good for 6 amps. Article 240.5 (B) (2) (1), if my overcurrent protection device is 20A, and I tap off a branch circuit with a fixture wire not more than 50', 18 gauge is ok. If each fluorecsent fixture wip is 18 gauge, and each fixture is 1A, can't I use that wip to wire up 6 fixtures? Am I missing an article in the NEC that prohibits this, or is it the manufacturers specifications? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
404ecm17fig3.jpg
 
LarryFine said:
Actually, if you think about it, the arrow points to the wrong whip.
Click to expand...

the whip the arrow points to is the one causing the violation. the whip between the fixtures, when installed, effectively turns the first whip between the fixture and the box into branch circuit conductors. remove the 2nd whip in the picture and youre fine.
 
wireguru said:
the whip the arrow points to is the one causing the violation. the whip between the fixtures, when installed, effectively turns the first whip between the fixture and the box into branch circuit conductors. remove the 2nd whip in the picture and youre fine.
Click to expand...
That's what I mean. The non-indicated whip is the one that is non-compliant.

It's like the argument that it takes two cars to be double-parked.
 
wireguru said:
the whip the arrow points to is the one causing the violation. the whip between the fixtures, when installed, effectively turns the first whip between the fixture and the box into branch circuit conductors. remove the 2nd whip in the picture and youre fine.
Click to expand...

Or as Larrys' take on it add branch circuit conductors to the first whip and you are fine !
 
Larry , I don't understand your point of view on this one ???

402.10 is what allows us to connect to branch circuit conductors with a whip . What the picture shows is branch circuit conductors to whip 1 and then whip 1 connects to Whip 2,.. turnning whip 1 into branch circuit conductors,.. which is not allowed by 402.11

402.10 Uses Permitted.
Fixture wires shall be permitted (1) for installation in luminaires (lighting fixtures) and in similar equipment where enclosed or protected and not subject to bending or twisting in use, or (2) for connecting luminaires (lighting fixtures) to the branch-circuit conductors supplying the luminaires (fixtures).
Click to expand...
 
The Iceman said:
I have a question about the 18 gauge fluorecsent fixture wips that come from the manufacturer. I don't understand why we can't use them to wire up more than one fixture? According to NEC 2005, Table 402.5, allowable ampacity for fixture wires, 18 gauge is good for 6 amps. Article 240.5 (B) (2) (1), if my overcurrent protection device is 20A, and I tap off a branch circuit with a fixture wire not more than 50', 18 gauge is ok. If each fluorecsent fixture wip is 18 gauge, and each fixture is 1A, can't I use that wip to wire up 6 fixtures? Am I missing an article in the NEC that prohibits this, or is it the manufacturers specifications? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

If it is a recessed or flush fixture (ceiling lay-in), you are limited to 6' of fixture tap wire by 410.117(C). Two 3 foot whips might be allowed . . .
 
M. D. said:
Larry , I don't understand your point of view on this one ???

402.10 is what allows us to connect to branch circuit conductors with a whip . What the picture shows is branch circuit conductors to whip 1 and then whip 1 connects to Whip 2,.. turnning whip 1 into branch circuit conductors,.. which is not allowed by 402.11
Click to expand...
Right. The offending whip is the one supplying more than one fixture, i.e., the one attached to the building J-box (1). The picture appears to blame the fixture-to-fixture whip (2) for the offense.

Agreed, it's the presence of whip 2 that makes whip 1 the offender, but it's whip 1 that is non-compliant. Note that this is a semantics discussion, not that we've ever had those occur before. ;)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top