This is what you get from HGTV

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electricmanscott

electricmanscott

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Location
Boston, MA
Here is a guide to installing undercabinet lighting form HGTV's website. Just a FEW problems here. :roll:

If the area under your kitchen cabinets is too dark, consider installing a halogen light strip underneath. The strip can be plugged into an existing electrical outlet or hardwired.

Note: If you're uncomfortable making electrical connections, hire a licensed electrician.

Turn off the breaker switch for the circuit you'll be using.
Remove the faceplate from a nearby outlet, and pull out the receptacle to expose the wires.
Use a hammer and screwdriver to knock out the back of the electrical box.
Drill a hole directly over the outlet next to the bottom of the cabinet.
Cut the plug off the power cord for the fixture. Leave 2" of cord on the plug so that you can determine which wire is neutral. On polarized plugs the large prong is connected to the neutral terminal, and the small prong is connected to the power source. The neutral wire may be ribbed or marked with a stripe.
Use fish tape to thread the light-fixture wire through the wall and into the electrical box. Thread one fish tape up through the box, and use another to pull the first piece through the hole in the wall.
Attach the cord to the terminal. Connect the neutral wire to the silver terminal and the current-carrying wire to the brass terminal.
Attach the light fixture to the bottom of the cabinet.
Tip: You may want to replace your outlet with a switched outlet for added convenience.
 
Re: This is what you get from HGTV

I am not overjoyed with leaving a hole in the wall or fishing cord through the hole o cutting the plug off.

I wonder why they didn't just sugegst plugging it in to the outlet?

[ October 26, 2005, 05:36 PM: Message edited by: petersonra ]
 
Re: This is what you get from HGTV

This is your typical BS from pro DIY entities. Everyone is always so paranoid about getting sued when these guys deserve it.
 
Re: This is what you get from HGTV

Also, if the person is not "comfortable" with making electrical connections and they call a professional to do this insulation, what is going to happen when you tell them it cannot be done like this? The customer is going to assume that the professional is tying to rip them off and increase the cost of the job. They will never believe that HGTV would tell them to do something dangerous or illegal.

Problems with this proposed installation:
1. Flexible cord is not to be used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure (400.8(1)).
2. Generally flexible cords must be equipped with an attachment plug and energized from a receptacle outlet (400.7(B)).
3. The UL listing of this fixture assumes that it will be powered by plugging it into an outlet with the cord as installed at the factory. When the plug is cut off and the fixture is hardwired, it has not ben installed "in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling". (110.3(B))
4. Knocking out the back of the box violates 314.17(A) Which states that openings through which conductors enter shall be adequately closed.

This type of do-it-yourself information is highly irresponsible. Unfortunately since this was "on TV" the homeowner will take it as Gospel and the electrician that tries to persuade them that it should not be done like that is going to look like the "bad guy"!
 
Re: This is what you get from HGTV

I don't think that they meant to say knock out the entire back of the box, but Joe homeowner would probably take that literally. They should be more careful before giving instructions like that.
 
Re: This is what you get from HGTV

This is totally irresponsible. I would have thought they had an expert checking what is published.

I fired off a comment to them. I've seen hokey advice on these shows, but this is the worst.

I actually watch this channel, DIY network and Discovery Home. It's a bonding thing with my wife. She of course loves it when I say "That's a code violation" or "What an idiot"
 
Re: This is what you get from HGTV

Twice, I have seen an episode of "This Old House" where Their Master Electrician installs a 240 volt circuit in a garage.
He does fine until time to terminate the wires on the breaker. Uses the white conductor for one of the Hot legs, & doesn't remark it.
Classic !!!
 
Re: This is what you get from HGTV

Tip: You may want to replace your outlet with a switched outlet for added convenience.
Click to expand...
You omitted the other one:

Tip numba two: If you find the lights to be a bit dim, soak a bar of uranium in 2 quarts of kerosene. Stick dat in the wall between the light and the outlet. It works better if the wall is insulated.

Oh, man. :D
 
Re: This is what you get from HGTV

I dont think anyone mentioned the violation with puting the lights on th SA circ.
 
Re: This is what you get from HGTV

sandsnow ... your reply was right on the mark. I have a hard time watching that show and always thought I sure would like to contact these Idiots. But watching will be easier knowing that they have been told they are not complying with the NEC.>>>>> on second thought maybe we should contact the NFPA , this kind of stuff not only voilates codes but makes US! look stupid in the end. sorry for venting but this subject has always been a sore spot with me anyway. Mike
 
Re: This is what you get from HGTV

I have an existing installation of under cabinet halogens (puck style) in my home. They have the flexible cords running up through the cabinets and then all exiting out the bottom of the cabinet nearest an outlet. The cords then plug into a transformer mounted under the cabinet which plugs into the outlet. Any code violations with running that type of cord through cabinets?
 
Re: This is what you get from HGTV

It is a matter of interpretation. Flexible cords are not permitted "as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure". Is running throgh a cabinet such a substitution?
Flexible cords are not permitted to be "run through holes in walls...." Is the cabinet a wall?
The suitability of a flexible cord used in this manner is certainly open to debate. My opinion is that it is violation of the "spirit" of the code if not the "letter".
 
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