Grounding of Outdoor Light Fixture

[timm333]

I have to ground an outdoor light fixture which does not have an internal grounding lug. I was thinking to put grounding lugs on outside of the fixture (on metal frame.) The back cover of fixture is a separate assembly which connects to the main assembly by screws. So I was thinking to use two grounding lugs; one lug for the main assembly and one for the back cover, and then connect the two lugs together.

The grounding lugs should be mounted at the bottom of fixture so that water does not go inside the fixture. But the problem is that we are mounting the fixture facing down, so the glass frame of the bulb will be at the bottom and all metal will be either on top or on side. So if I put grounding lugs on top or on side of the fixture, the rain water will enter into the fixture and the fixture will no longer be water-tight.

Any ideas how to ground the fixture and still maintain the water-tightness of the fixture? Maybe I can use something like water-tight glands?

 

[John120/240]

What is the standard way to mount this fixture ? Lamp up or lamp down ? You cannot

mount the fixture upside down if not designied that way. If water collects inside fixture

by virture of your installation, you've got problems. Follow manufacturers instructions.

A outdoor fixture without grounding provisions....it don't make sense.

 

[timm333]

You are right John; actually it is a solar LED light fixture. It may sound weird, but unfortunately most (if not all) manufacturers of solar lights are not familiar with NEC code. NEC 690.43 is clear that all exposed metal surfaces shall be grounded regardless of the voltage (please see the attached page).

But the manufacturers are confident that these don?t need to be grounded. So most (if not all) manufacturers make their LED light fixtures with no provision for grounding. I posted this question in the photovoltaic forum but could not get the answer. As it is a general question related to the water tightness of the fixture, so I have posted it here.

So I was wondering if someone has some idea of how to ground the fixture from outside; and still maintain the water tightness of the fixture?