Rope lights

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WMitch

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A couple of days ago someone posted questions about installing rope lights under counter and in the toe kick of cabinets. There were a couple of responses that questioned the safety of rope lights. One member reported instances of melt downs and fires.
Since I have these lights installed in my kitchen, I was concerned so I did a little research.
Rope lights have been around for nearly 20 years. They are UL approved, however fairly recently UL made changes to its standard, no longer approving rope lights that are designed to be cut to fit by the installer(incidentally these bulk length lights are still available on the internet). Apparently, cutting these rope lights created a problem.
Current UL approved rope lights are a fixed length, have polarized plugs and are fused. According to the manufacturer's instructions a 15 or 20A GFI receptacle is recommended for OUTDOOR installs.
Individual bulbs in rope lights are rated at 1/2 watt. My 18'lengths consume 54 watts over that length. Significantly better than the 50w concentrated heat from a halogen.
I would appreciate it if anyone else has any safety info about these lights. For now I'm going to keep them.
 
Re: Rope lights

It was not so much the safety factor of the lighting itself, but the installation methods. In reading the UL commentary, Ul mentions that a lot of DIYers and other than electricians were installing this popular lighting, and there were certain mistakes being made during the installation. In essence, the general populace has created a situation where electricians are now not permitted to install other than the current type of Rope lighting.

It is sad when electrical work is governed by other than electricians.
 
Re: Rope lights

We have them all over the inside of our church and soon will have them on the outside of our youth building. I install them useing tyrap self-sticking mounts and plastic tywraps. I glue them to th metal frames of suspended cielings where they turn coners pop-rivet them to the channels. Time consuming but the effect is awesome
I plan of setting up surrounding our SURGE Building Sign rope lights to identify its location at night.. :cool: :cool: :cool:
 
Re: Rope lights

I have a whole spool with numerous end feeds still in their original packaging. Rope lights were spec'd for a job, and later omitted.

Since these are all new un-opened, would I still be able to use them?
Such as when they changed the GFCI listing, we used up all of our old stock.
 
Re: Rope lights

I have several hundred feet of them installed at a private club i do the electrical,computer,data work at (no charge).What i have noticed is out doors the colored ones fade fast and the other problem is sections burn out in a year or 2 with only being used maybe 60 hours per month.But as of date not had any melt ot catch fire.If thats happening please inform me as to why and how often.As to there value they are a cheap way for mood setting lights.In reality they arem nothing more than x mas lights in a safe plastic rope.
 
Re: Rope lights

Why no charge? Are you telling us your a member?

Roger
 
Re: Rope lights

How many unsupervised kids with BB guns somehow manage to keep their eyes, yet there are a few that loose theirs.

These lights may never be a problem, but then again, you may wake up tomorrow with your club and it's members in ashes.

Roger
 
Re: Rope lights

That came closer than you can think one night due to a handymans wiring.First we smelled it then we seen flames.Fortunatly i was there and killed main fast,put fire out,repaired problem and up again in 20 minutes.That promted some major rewiring.If anyone has any web pages or facts on them please step forward
 
Re: Rope lights

As to bb guns,if taught how to handle a gun i see no problems.Was given my first 22 at age 12 and i still have it.Never once hurt anybody or thing with it
 
Re: Rope lights

Most people installing these lights see no problem either.

BTW, I think you missed the point, I also had my first gun at 12, and never killed any body by mistake, but "supervision" was the key to my post.

Roger
 
Re: Rope lights

Don't know, but obviously there was problem.

Roger
 
Re: Rope lights

They are one cheap way to do nightclub wiring.Have electrician install some switched receptacle outlets and send him on his way.Unlike x mas lights they could stay up for years.Kinda scary
 
Re: Rope lights

Jim, look at the mobile home parks (as well as other buildings) around you, the Christmas lights never come down after they are first put up.

Roger
 
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