Light Fixture Junction Box

[twada]

We have a exterior light fixture mounted on a column. We wanted to make a hole on the column to recess a junction box for this fixture. But the structural engineer told us that it will negate the integrity of the structural strength. He said it is OK to make a hole for a conduit, but not for the junction box. Can we locate a junction box at the bottom of the column (about 20' below the fixture) and feed through through inside the column to the fixture?
Or does the code state that the junction box must be accessible to the fixture?

 

[volt101]

Re: Light Fixture Junction Box

Where is the junction splice point, between the light fixture and the branch circuit?

 

[twada]

Re: Light Fixture Junction Box

I guess you are looking at the tap rule. Fixture is at about 20' hight on the column. Doed the junction box need to be within 5 feet of the fixture?

 

[infinity]

Re: Light Fixture Junction Box

I guess you are looking at the tap rule. Fixture is at about 20' hight on the column. Doed the junction box need to be within 5 feet of the fixture?

Depending on the fixture a box might not be necessary. If the branch circuit conductors and the 20' of conductors feeding the fixture are the same size than the box doesn't need to be any specific distance from the fixture.

 

[George Stolz]

Re: Light Fixture Junction Box

As Infinity mentioned, a box isn't always necessary, depending on the fixture.

My thought is, with it being 20' in the air on a column, is anyone really going to see a surface box?

What kind of fixture did they have in mind?