I have some Elco 2" LED downlights that go in a 2 5/8" cut hole. Looking at the box that gets shoved in the ceiling, it doesn't appear to have sufficient wiring space for #14 NM cable in a feed through installation. However, I have seen installations where the feed through is done. Am I missing something here? Do your inspectors allow this? If not, what is the alternative?
LED Downlighting Box Fill
- Thread starter whiggins
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
What is the cu. in written inside the box
There isn't any. It is somewhat round and about 6" long. I contacted their customer support but they have never responded.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
The boxes that are part of luminaires can be smaller than what is permitted by 314.16. It should come with instructions that specify the maximum number and size of external conductors.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Most light fixtures are listed for in and out with 14 awg at least. As Don stated look for something that states listed for feed thru install.
I looked through the instructions, cut sheets, specifications, etc. It is UL listed, but nothing beyond that.
Does that listing exception also apply to LED troffers? I replaced some fluorescent troffers that had #12 feed through wiring. The box on the LED troffer was so small I split them up to only have single whips. Again, I found no instructions that gave wire fill or mentioned feed through wiring.
Does that listing exception also apply to LED troffers? I replaced some fluorescent troffers that had #12 feed through wiring. The box on the LED troffer was so small I split them up to only have single whips. Again, I found no instructions that gave wire fill or mentioned feed through wiring.
jmellc
Senior Member
- Location
- Durham, NC
- Occupation
- Facility Maintenance Tech. Licensed Electrician
I recall some of the first LED lights that part of the mounting bracket went up into the light box. Major pain, hard enough with only 1 14-2 cable. I used deep metal octagon boxes, fed through into top with only 1 cable. Took separate switch legs from the switch. Fortunately, I didn’t have a long string of lights or that wouldn’t be doable either. Would have had to put a j box in attic, crawl space or a nearby closet.
Manufacturers should hire electricians with field experience when designing products.
Another chance for me to spit on UL as well. Their label is worth less than the cheap paper it is printed on.
Manufacturers should hire electricians with field experience when designing products.
Another chance for me to spit on UL as well. Their label is worth less than the cheap paper it is printed on.
jmellc
Senior Member
- Location
- Durham, NC
- Occupation
- Facility Maintenance Tech. Licensed Electrician
I used to also see wall sconce lights too slim to fit a standard round or octagon light box. Could only use single gang nailups or cutins. We had roughed in light boxes on a job & had to demo them to swap boxes. Lights were not yet selected during rough.
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