LED Handrail Lighting

[flengineer]

I have a client that wants to install an LED handrail on a custom balustrade. To conceal the wiring up to the handrail/light fixture, they want to create a wiring channel out of 1/4" steel plates. Since this is not a listed raceway, am I correct in saying that the wiring needs to either be in a conduit in the channel or we need to use MC cable? Does the fact that it is low voltage change anything and permit me to run individual THWN conductors in this channel?

 

[hbiss]

Does the fact that it is low voltage change anything and permit me to run individual THWN conductors in this channel?

It changes everything. If the power source is marked class 2 or class 3 you would be fine with THWN conductors in the chase. If the power source is not marked (or is marked class 1) then you must use a chapter 3 wiring method. That's when you will need to use conduit, AC or MC in the chase.

-Hal