MC Cable doesn't need support within 6ft of luminair?

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tsaltz

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So I'm studying up for my state test and came across 330.30(D)(2)[nec '08] and my understanding of it is that if the last point of support is accessible and within 6ft of the light than I don't need to provide a further support within 12" of the light. Is this right? I only ask because I've been taught just that the 12" rule applies to all boxes and junction points basically...including the light and then it's 6' between all of those points of support. I'm just trying to make sure I'm not reading this wrong because that would have saved me a good bit of time, especially on the last job I was on where the inspector was quite a stickler for those 12" from the light.(I know he can still basically overule NEC though. AHJ>NEC)
 
Correct. This rule is mainly there for fluorescent lay in fixtures. We wire to a jb and the fixtures often come with 6' whips which we bring into the box.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Correct. This rule is mainly there for fluorescent lay in fixtures. We wire to a jb and the fixtures often come with 6' whips which we bring into the box.
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Thanks, ya that's exactly what I was thinking of. I've ALWAYS had to support them within 12"...kinda frustrating finding out now that I don't have to. :/
 
This rule isn't restricted to just lighting. It applies to anything in an "accessible ceiling". If you have only a 6' mc whip then technically you don't need any other support Thant the connectors themselves because for this application the connectors are considered supports.
 
AdamS said:
This rule isn't restricted to just lighting. It applies to anything in an "accessible ceiling". If you have only a 6' mc whip then technically you don't need any other support Thant the connectors themselves because for this application the connectors are considered supports.
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ha ha that's right. I hadn't thought of that. If all the whips from the light are 6' or less than we wouldn't even need KX clips at all. I was over at a job today doing some work and all the lights up there had supports within 12" of the light and I thought of this... lol
 
tsaltz said:
ha ha that's right. I hadn't thought of that. If all the whips from the light are 6' or less than we wouldn't even need KX clips at all. I was over at a job today doing some work and all the lights up there had supports within 12" of the light and I thought of this... lol
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I supported light whips for years to what I thought was code until I found out about the exception.
 
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