Low voltage Cabinet lighting

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dnj12345

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Hi guys I had a customer that bought low voltage puck lights. They have a 6"pigtail on them. They are going in the top of the wall cabinet there are glass doors. Can I spliced them above the cabinet with out an enclosure? I was going to mount the transformers in the attic in a junction box. Any recommendations? Is 16 gauge lamp cord okay if I watch my wattage? I know its low voltage but worried about the open splices. The attic is directly above the cabinets its not a far run. Thanks in advance.
 
As long as your wiring is exposed then you can splice it. I would read art. 411--- all of it cause there isn't much there. :)
 
Your #16 gauge lamp cord might be a problem due to voltage drop. Also the cord would need to be rated for it to be used in a concealed installation.
 
The 16 gauge wire came with the lights. I was going to upsize it. I was mainly cocerned about splicing the lights I can't use a junction box the way it is setup. 411 is alittle confusing it doesn't say anything about splicing it just refers me to chapter 3 wiring methods. The splice will not be buried I was going to use wirenuts with electrical tape. Let me know what you think. Thanks again.
 
I bet the lights instructions are explicit on how they are to be installed, and most of what you are contemplating is probably not congruent with those instructions. It's not your fault when the customer purchases the wrong stuff, but you're not obligated to install it either. I tread very lightly when it comes to this stuff, and would advise you to do the same.
 
Thats the thing there was not any instructions in the box. I tried calling the manufacter and they were no help. Thanks
 
Here's the thing--- once you conceal any part of the wiring behind walls, etc then you must use chapter 3 wiring methods. These lights usually have a short piece of wire that is designed to hook to a wiring method to be exposed. There is no way to mount most of these pucks with a box and that would be necessary if you had to apply chapter 3 wiring methods.

There are a few lighting systems out there that are designed and use a wiring method that is listed to be concealed but that is usually an entire kit.

Voltage drop is another issue with Low voltage. The minimum size I use for these is #12 wire esp. if the distance is 20 feet or so from the transformer.

I do not install the LV pucks anymore-- it is to hard to do it aesthetically as well as NEC compliant.
 
the manufacturer is Apex lighting www.lightingfx.com I can check tomorrow if they are UL listed. That would definitly get me out of installing them if they are not. Thanks guys for all your help. Art. 411 is confusing.
 
how should I go about splicing them above the cabinet? I'm not running any wire inside the walls. I'm going right above the cabinets into the attic every run will be less than 20'. Thanks for your help. I will use #12 wire thanks for the recommendation.
 
dnj12345 said:
how should I go about splicing them above the cabinet? I'm not running any wire inside the walls. I'm going right above the cabinets into the attic every run will be less than 20'. Thanks for your help. I will use #12 wire thanks for the recommendation.
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Going "into the attic" is the same as running wire "inside the walls", codewise 411.4(A). Best to mount the transformer directly above the cabinet, assuming there is room above.

If your equipment complies with 411.4(A)(1) or (2), then wiring into the attic should be ok.

Or, maybe a Chapter 3 method from the attic to a junction in or on the cabinet, then LV wire to the pucks?
 
the inspector doesnt seem to have a problem with what I was going to do but I want to do it right and the inspector is not liable if something happens. So I really appreciate all of your help.
 
I would bet these are UL listed and they look like the ones at Home Depot or Lowes. The Big Box Stores sell them as a kit with transformer and all-- wire also.

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