Is it a code violation to plug a non-grounding type plug on a light fixture into a grounding type receptacle? This is in a retail application. The owner purchased light fixtures that they plug in behind their counter. The inspector says because the plugs are the non-grounding type, and the receptacles are the grounded type, the light fixtures have to be modified.
Light fixture with non-grounding type plug
- Thread starter thais
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petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- Semi-retired engineer
Re: Light fixture with non-grounding type plug
The NEC pretty much stops at the receptacle. Whats plugged in may not meet other codes, but is not a NEC issue.
If the 2 wire lamps do not have polarized plugs on them, they may constitute a hazard. If they have polarized plugs on them they can only be plugged in the proper way.
I don't know of any way you can modify a 2 wire lamp to have a grounding type plug. it would be more cost effective to just buy new lamps.
The NEC pretty much stops at the receptacle. Whats plugged in may not meet other codes, but is not a NEC issue.
If the 2 wire lamps do not have polarized plugs on them, they may constitute a hazard. If they have polarized plugs on them they can only be plugged in the proper way.
I don't know of any way you can modify a 2 wire lamp to have a grounding type plug. it would be more cost effective to just buy new lamps.
Re: Light fixture with non-grounding type plug
If the fixtures are UL listed, any modifications will void this listing even if an inspector is the entity requesting it.
Does this inspector want all the double insulated tools in the world modified to be used with three wire receptacles? :roll:
Roger
If the fixtures are UL listed, any modifications will void this listing even if an inspector is the entity requesting it.
Does this inspector want all the double insulated tools in the world modified to be used with three wire receptacles? :roll:
Roger
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: Light fixture with non-grounding type plug
Where did they find this guy ? that is about the stupidist thing i ever heard.Ask him for a code referance,that is if he has a code book.I gotta get busy changing all my cords TV, radio coffee maker,can opener,toaster
Do not back down to his level
Where did they find this guy ? that is about the stupidist thing i ever heard.Ask him for a code referance,that is if he has a code book.I gotta get busy changing all my cords TV, radio coffee maker,can opener,toaster
Do not back down to his level
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Light fixture with non-grounding type plug
You could show the inspector this code section.
He must not have been the first one to think grounded receptacles require grounded equipment. :roll:
You could show the inspector this code section.
He must not have been the first one to think grounded receptacles require grounded equipment. :roll:
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: Light fixture with non-grounding type plug
hand him a papper towel as he tries to get the egg off his face while he signs your permit
hand him a papper towel as he tries to get the egg off his face while he signs your permit
electricmanscott
Senior Member
- Location
- Boston, MA
- Occupation
- Massachusetts Master Electrician, one man show.
Re: Light fixture with non-grounding type plug
cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo.... :roll:
cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo.... :roll:
hurk27
Senior Member
- Location
- Portage, Indiana NEC: 2008
Re: Light fixture with non-grounding type plug
I have seen where home owner have bought fixtures that were made for permanent mounting and added a non-grounding type lamp cord with plug. this is very common for paddle fans. Now this would be a violation.
I have seen where home owner have bought fixtures that were made for permanent mounting and added a non-grounding type lamp cord with plug. this is very common for paddle fans. Now this would be a violation.
hurk27
Senior Member
- Location
- Portage, Indiana NEC: 2008
Re: Light fixture with non-grounding type plug
I have to add this little story that happened to me:
I was finishing up a house that was scheduled for a final that day and as I was trouble shooting the house out and in came the home owner with a paddle fan, a roll of speaker wire (it said so on the real) and a quick connect non-polarized plug for lamp cord.
I had to ask what he was intending to do with that and where was he wanting me to install the fan? his response was he was going to save some money by installing the fan in the living room to a center beam where there was no box for it. because his wife wanted it! :roll:
I have to add this little story that happened to me:
I was finishing up a house that was scheduled for a final that day and as I was trouble shooting the house out and in came the home owner with a paddle fan, a roll of speaker wire (it said so on the real) and a quick connect non-polarized plug for lamp cord.
I had to ask what he was intending to do with that and where was he wanting me to install the fan? his response was he was going to save some money by installing the fan in the living room to a center beam where there was no box for it. because his wife wanted it! :roll:
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: Light fixture with non-grounding type plug
I did run into very similar problem on a rewire.There was no easy way to feed a fan in the living room.It was an old house made into apartments and i was told to keep bill to a min and not wire anything that could be blanked off and deleeted.Owners son was the tenant so i advised both him and his dad that i will need them to remove that fan ran on lamp cord.They agreed to comply to get the inspection but let me know it was going right back up after inspection.I told them after i walk out the door it is out of my hands.Another couple hundred dollars and i could have fixed it right.
I did run into very similar problem on a rewire.There was no easy way to feed a fan in the living room.It was an old house made into apartments and i was told to keep bill to a min and not wire anything that could be blanked off and deleeted.Owners son was the tenant so i advised both him and his dad that i will need them to remove that fan ran on lamp cord.They agreed to comply to get the inspection but let me know it was going right back up after inspection.I told them after i walk out the door it is out of my hands.Another couple hundred dollars and i could have fixed it right.
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- Semi-retired engineer
Re: Light fixture with non-grounding type plug
Interestingly, I was in a new restaurant here in town not that long ago and they wired up all their ceiling fixtures along the beams with what looked to me like lamp cord. Its run along the top of the beams where unless you really look you can't see it, so I suspose its possible the cord goes into a raceway or something on top of the beams.
Interestingly, I was in a new restaurant here in town not that long ago and they wired up all their ceiling fixtures along the beams with what looked to me like lamp cord. Its run along the top of the beams where unless you really look you can't see it, so I suspose its possible the cord goes into a raceway or something on top of the beams.
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: Light fixture with non-grounding type plug
Something sounds wrong about that.Any chance the fixtures are low voltage ?
Something sounds wrong about that.Any chance the fixtures are low voltage ?
hurk27
Senior Member
- Location
- Portage, Indiana NEC: 2008
Re: Light fixture with non-grounding type plug
Jim I too have seen this in a restaurant before as it is the signture of a handyman.
Jim I too have seen this in a restaurant before as it is the signture of a handyman.
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: Light fixture with non-grounding type plug
I too was thinking handyman kind of thing but didn't want to jump too fast in saying this.Maybe you should ask to talk to the manager and point this out to him.He/she might give you a free meal and perhaps the job of fixing it right.I am sure very few would knowingly want a fire hazard.
I too was thinking handyman kind of thing but didn't want to jump too fast in saying this.Maybe you should ask to talk to the manager and point this out to him.He/she might give you a free meal and perhaps the job of fixing it right.I am sure very few would knowingly want a fire hazard.
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