Stevenfyeager
Senior Member
- Location
- United States, Indiana
- Occupation
- electrical contractor
For lay in troffers, is there a max. length of whips to each light from a j box ? It seems like I remember reading 6' somewhere. Thank you.
length of whips for ceiling lights
- Thread starter Stevenfyeager
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Any length, but over 6 ft requires support within 12” of the fitting. For a 6 ft whip the fitting is considered support.
acin
Senior Member
- Location
- pacific grove california
- Occupation
- general building contractor est.1984 . C 10 elec. lic.as of 8 / 7/ 2020
410 117 C
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician (retired)
6' is the limit when using 3/8" FMC. {348.20(A)(2)}
Stevenfyeager
Senior Member
- Location
- United States, Indiana
- Occupation
- electrical contractor
But MC is ok, right ?
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician (retired)
Yes MC cable is not a raceway and can be used in any length as branch circuit wiring.
VirutalElectrician
Senior Member
- Location
- Mpls, MN
- Occupation
- Sparky - Trying to be retired
If you are using portable cord, the distance is dependent upon the gauge of the cord being used.
Stevenfyeager
Senior Member
- Location
- United States, Indiana
- Occupation
- electrical contractor
Thank you all.
Can you expand on this? What kind of cord are you referring to?
VirutalElectrician
Senior Member
- Location
- Mpls, MN
- Occupation
- Sparky - Trying to be retired
Article 400.
Coincidentally, I just walked by these today at a commercial building. I was surprised to see this use just inches from a sidewalk where little people or snow machines could come in contact. This would seem to be a violation imo of 400.8, but perhaps not.
Attachments
Actually those are probably part of the listed assembly. I have seen these fixtures come with short cords which would not be governed by article 400. Back to the OP's scenario, cords covered by article 400 would not be allowed in any length above the ceiling for fixture whips.
VirutalElectrician
Senior Member
- Location
- Mpls, MN
- Occupation
- Sparky - Trying to be retired
Totally glossed over the "lay in troffers" piece...LOL. Yes, those are likely part of the listed assembly, there are many examples. But wouldn't Article 400 cover you in making your own similar portable cord stub to connect a similar assembly that didn't come with a connecting cord?
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
No, and certainly not for troffers in a suspended ceiling
VirutalElectrician
Senior Member
- Location
- Mpls, MN
- Occupation
- Sparky - Trying to be retired
I understand NO for troffers, as 400 clearly states that. But are you also saying NO for installations similar to that in the picture?
- Status