Recessed lighting

[eager2learn]

Are can lights allowed to be used as a junction box if there are 2 circuits that

are on A & B lighting sharing the same nuetral while a third circuit is being

pulled as a constant hot for emergency lights. The constant hot will daisy

chain through about 5 can lights before getting to fixture where the constant

hot is to be installed

 

[mdshunk]

No problem, since there's nothing that says they can't be used that way. The code is mute on the matter, and there's nothing on any can labeling that I've ever seen that would prohibit such. Matter of fact, I've even used the j-box on can lights as a handy place to splice completely unrelated circuits on remodel jobs where a blank-plated exposed junction box would have been objectionable.

 

[480sparky]

Most cans I've seen have a label or stamping in the box showing some sort of maximum number of conductors. As long as you don't exceed that, it's legal. Poor design, IMPO, but acceptable.

 

[infinity]

Matter of fact, I've even used the j-box on can lights as a handy place to splice completely unrelated circuits on remodel jobs where a blank-plated exposed junction box would have been objectionable.

We have begrudgingly done that too in the past when given little choice on a remodel. Not the best installation but code compliant.

 

[stickboy1375]

Most cans I've seen have a label or stamping in the box showing some sort of maximum number of conductors. As long as you don't exceed that, it's legal. Poor design, IMPO, but acceptable.

True, but a little better than leaving a junction box in the ceiling next to a removable recess can...

 

[cschmid]

now this is a bad design and what gives multi wire circuits a bad name..this install is going to be left to be maintained to the under qualified and when they want to add a can or two without calling an electrician..You will now have a possibility for an incident..Just say no to MWBC in this situation..you got to love devils advocate in these situations..:grin:

 

[480sparky]

now this is a bad design and what gives multi wire circuits a bad name..this install is going to be left to be maintained to the under qualified and when they want to add a can or two without calling an electrician..You will now have a possibility for an incident..Just say no to MWBC in this situation..you got to love devils advocate in these situations..:grin:

It is always a possibility that some uneducated hack will come along and mess with our fine, code-exceeding work. No amount of preparation on our part is ever going to change this fact.

 

[infinity]

It is always a possibility that some uneducated hack will come along and mess with our fine, code-exceeding work. No amount of preparation on our part is ever going to change this fact.

Good point, and the more complicated the original installation the more likely it is that they'll need a qualified electrician to work on it.

I pity the fool who someday buys my house. The slew of yellow/grey, orange/grey, and brown/orange type AC home runs will likely have them scratching their head for hours. Not to mention the ASCO lighting controller.

 

[480sparky]

Good point, and the more complicated the original installation the more likely it is that they'll need a qualified electrician to work on it.

Correction: the more likely it is that they'll need a qualified electrician to come in, sort it all out, and put it back together. :grin:

I pity the fool who someday buys my house. The slew of yellow/grey, orange/grey, and brown/orange type AC home runs will likely have them scratching their head for hours. Not to mention the ASCO lighting controller.

As long as it was code-compiant when you installed it, then if they can't figure it out, the should call you back.

Of course, you're going to charge them a service call, aren't you??

 

[infinity]

Correction: the more likely it is that they'll need a qualified electrician to come in, sort it all out, and put it back together. :grin:



As long as it was code-compiant when you installed it, then if they can't figure it out, the should call you back.

Of course, you're going to charge them a service call, aren't you??

Well If they were smart they would call me back. More likely that they will get their neighbor or brother-in-law or someone else to try and fix it.

 

[480sparky]

Well If they were smart they would call me back. More likely that they will get their neighbor or brother-in-law or someone else to try and fix it.

Key word there is 'try'. But we can't save the whole world from itself.