A/A Fuel GTX
Senior Member
- Location
- WI & AZ
- Occupation
- Electrician
When asked to install under cabinet lights where there is no sensible option to install a new circuit or to tap into a circuit other than the SABC, what do you do?
Retro Fitting Under Cabinet Lights
- Thread starter A/A Fuel GTX
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
How about hooking up undercounter lights that use a plug connected 12V transformer and connect that to an SABC receptacle?
A/A Fuel GTX
Senior Member
- Location
- WI & AZ
- Occupation
- Electrician
I don't know too many customers that would opt for that kind of installation. I wouldn't do it.
growler
Senior Member
- Location
- Atlanta,GA
Tell them no and walk away. I don't like installing undercounter lights in the first place.
mjf
Senior Member
Unfortunately, in our business, especially remodels, the "sensible" option is rarely code compliant (which makes it un-sensible).
How bad does the customer want under cabinet lighting?
If they don't want to pay the price to do it right, maybe suggest some push on/off battery operated pucks or something.
How bad does the customer want under cabinet lighting?
If they don't want to pay the price to do it right, maybe suggest some push on/off battery operated pucks or something.
A/A Fuel GTX
Senior Member
- Location
- WI & AZ
- Occupation
- Electrician
So far, the poll is a resounding NO. It's situations like these that kind of drive me nuts. It's OK to tap a SABC for a clock or a range igniter but not something as minimally power hungry as under cabinet lights. I know the line has to be drawn somewhere but some things just don't make sense to me.
jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
I know you feel, I got a couple of issues with the NEC myself.
readydave8
re member
- Location
- Clarkesville, Georgia
- Occupation
- electrician
I admitted that I would break the law. I have nothing to say in my defense, I admit to being guilty. Furthermore I probably wasn't wearing a seat belt on my way to that job.
RLyons
Senior Member
- Location
- Changed for anonymity
If I can't get power from the lighting circuit I would try the outlet in the cabinet above the over range micro. :ashamed1:
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
There is a group I meet with regularly where we work on our NEC issues.
kingpb
Senior Member
- Location
- SE USA as far as you can go
- Occupation
- Engineer, Registered
From a liability standpoint, knowingly violating the NEC could be trouble down the road. Whether you agree or not; the lawyers will hang you if some incident occurs that could in anyway be tied back to you or your company.
Anything can be accomplished with enough time and money. If the HO really wants those lights, it can be done. It may require a complete kitchen remodel but its their money.
In every job done, you should always ask yourself, "Is this job worth losing my life, or livelihood over?"
Anything can be accomplished with enough time and money. If the HO really wants those lights, it can be done. It may require a complete kitchen remodel but its their money.
In every job done, you should always ask yourself, "Is this job worth losing my life, or livelihood over?"
A/A Fuel GTX
Senior Member
- Location
- WI & AZ
- Occupation
- Electrician
From a liability standpoint, knowingly violating the NEC could be trouble down the road. Whether you agree or not; the lawyers will hang you if some incident occurs that could in anyway be tied back to you or your company.
Anything can be accomplished with enough time and money. If the HO really wants those lights, it can be done. It may require a complete kitchen remodel but its their money.
In every job done, you should always ask yourself, "Is this job worth losing my life, or livelihood over?"
I highly doubt tapping the SABC to feed under cabinet lights will burn the house down especially with DIY'r stuff I see out there on a daily basis and the houses are still standing.
- Status