LED connection

Status
Not open for further replies.
E

eds

Senior Member
I roughed a house for seagull ambiance in the upper glass cabinets, used 10/2 romex back to remote x-former locations planned on using the little wiring compartments that they have but things have changed. Customer has no decided that they want to use LED strip lighting these have a class 2 power supply, since I used a wiring method described in chap 1 thru 3 must I still use the wiring compartment. In this same house they would also like to use these same LED strips in the stair tread nosing, to make fishing eaiser I plan on using a 14/2 cl3 stranded cable fished down the wall to a closet. I need to transition from the 14/2 cable to the LED in a small groove in the nosing, am thinking about a butt connector. The stair LED is also fed from a class 2 supply, am I missing some code application that will prohibit this

Thanks
 
dSilanskas said:
I love using the LED low voltage tracks. But when I prewire I use 14/2 speaker wire. I find that the speaker wire works best with this application
Click to expand...

You cannot conceal speaker wire behind the walls for lighting.
 
but doesn't 411.4 (2) allow me to use a cl2 or cl3 wire from the load side of my class 2 supply
 
411.4 Locations Not Permitted.
Lighting systems operating at 30 volts or less shall not be installed (1) where concealed or extended through a building wall, unless using a wiring method specified in Chapter 3, or (2) within 3.0 m (10 ft) of pools, spas, fountains, or similar locations, except as permitted by Article 680.
Click to expand...
Pretty sure CL3, and/or speaker wire are not in Chapter 3 - fishing NM, or say some FMC with some THHN not an option? That said - I'm pretty sure if even if it is from a PELV power supply you still need chapter 3 methods.
 
eds said:
if it carries a cm cl3 listing does that always mean it can be concealed
Click to expand...

I don't have the answer to that. I do know that there are listed systems that have wiring that is rated for concealment. I don't know what the denotion would be.
 
if I fished romex would I then have to terminate in a box, the tread nosings are only a inch to a 1 1/4'' wide
 
eds said:
if I fished romex would I then have to terminate in a box, the tread nosings are only a inch to a 1 1/4'' wide
Click to expand...

What brand are you using. Kichler? I spoke with a rep this morning and they have a plug in trany with leads.. Wire the high voltage to an outlet in the cabinet and run the cord thru the bottom of the cabinet. They are working on a system where you can have the high voltage under the upper and a box with a trany for he lights. Not sure if they are available yet.
 
Dennis I need to make a connection on 21 stair treads, the upper cabinets and stair treads all get a 3/4'' wide LED strip
 
eds said:
Dennis I need to make a connection on 21 stair treads, the upper cabinets and stair treads all get a 3/4'' wide LED strip
Click to expand...

Sorry I was thinking another thread with lv lighting.

What does the manufacturer have to say. I must say I have never had them tell me a legal way. I would check with the manufacturer if the cable you have is listed for such use. I am not sure about it without having all the info.

If the unit is designed with a cable rated for concealment then it is a no brainer. I wish i could tell you more about the cl3 wire
 
While I dont have the opinion that the NEC has caught up with LED lighting, I do not see anything in 411 that allows CL3 concealed in walls for the use of lighting. Nor have I come across a listing of cabling provided that was allowed in walls - most don't even have a listing.... If someone does know of a wording in the code that allows it - because I have often thought chapter 3 methods purely over-kill for LEDs in most instances.
 
dSilanskas said:
We have never had any problems with the inspector when using in wall rated speaker wire. Never have we had any issues either
Click to expand...

Yeah, this is an area that is grossly overlooked. I have seen 22 gauge telephone wire used for pucks. They have been working for 10 years but it still isn't legal.
 
dSilanskas said:
I dont see the issue of using 14 AWG for low voltage LED lights.
Click to expand...
Nor do I the wire size may be fine, the cable type dicussed is wrong. While I may not have a particular issue with CL3 - but the code is writen in a way that does not allow it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top