Wiring Under Cabinets Low Voltage Lights

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mtn_elec

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Does any one could help me to find a listed wire for under cabinet lights (hockey pucks)12 volts working with a transformer 120vac that I could run inside the wall?
 
Re: Wiring Under Cabinets Low Voltage Lights

Never done this but as I read 411.4, a chapter 3 wiring method is required where installed in wall.
 
Re: Wiring Under Cabinets Low Voltage Lights

Thanks for the input. This was exactly what I should've read before installing this spt2 parallel flexible cord. Never done this before but it passed rough but failed the final insp. Walls are close now and inspector said to my general contractor that there was a gray wire that it could be use. I do not what kind of wire inspector is talking about, cuz' my elec. distributor got no clue either. Any more ideas? Help is really appreciated.
 
Re: Wiring Under Cabinets Low Voltage Lights

Romex is kind of thick for the small holes I made for this cord, but I need to try something. Thanks for the help.
 
Re: Wiring Under Cabinets Low Voltage Lights

Yea sure Jim that's exactly what I mean. :roll: I think something like a bunch of lamp cord sticking out of the wall would be fairly obvious on a rough inspection wouln't you think.
 
Re: Wiring Under Cabinets Low Voltage Lights

To my bad luck there were different inspectors for the rough and final, so you know the deal now
 
Re: Wiring Under Cabinets Low Voltage Lights

Big Orange sells 5 peice "Hocky Puck" style low voltage halogen light kits, along with the expansion wire for them. I was looking at them for our kitchen remodle and I believe the cord was suitable for in wall use. Romex wouldnt work for these lights since the wire gauge is only like 18AWG, and im not sure 14AWG Romex would fit under the screw terminals of these fixtures.
 
Re: Wiring Under Cabinets Low Voltage Lights

Not sure if it is listed for this use (I think it's just for Class 2 cicuits, what's LV lightning classified as?), but maybe he was talking about the in-wall speaker cable? It has a dark grey jacket with a pair of stranded conductors inside, you can get it up to 12 gauge.

Is this OK for LV lighting? Like I said, it usually carries a Class 2 sticker on it.
 
Re: Wiring Under Cabinets Low Voltage Lights

For 2005 NEC class two wiring is now acceptable for in wall wiring of lv lighting. Now for my rude comment of the day. Puck lights are garbage. :p
 
Re: Wiring Under Cabinets Low Voltage Lights

we've been having problems with a company called seagull lighting. they sell wiring method that is only listed to go in the walls if it is in a raceway. we've been battling this company for 10 or more years now. in their catalog they even state to check with local authorities to see if it can be used in the wall. as far as i know we are the only jurisdiction making the remove it or run it in a raceway. usually they will run it in ent or change it to rx and the company makes a nice transitions for rx back to the cord.
 
Re: Wiring Under Cabinets Low Voltage Lights

Puck lights are garbage.
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It may be rude but it's accurate !!! While they may look nice in the package and maybe even installed for a few days, the halogen bulbs that are used get extremely hot and burn up the sockets. I( haven't found a high quality puck yet. You usually can't replace the bulb - you end up replacing the whole unit.

Anyway, there have been a number of threads on this topic ( you can do a search for undercab lights, puck lights, etc.) and the long and short of it is that most jurisdictions will not accept landscape wire or speaker wire inside walls. As was already mentioned, NM-B is the accepted wiring method. But try and connect that to a puck light "neatly" - good luck with that. However, if there is a void behind the cabinet AND if you have space above it with a crown moulding in front you can snake speaker or landscape wiring behind it and install a small transformer on top of the cabinet. If your installation is more elaborate than that you may have to use flex PVC or smurf tube inside the walls and drop down to the basement.
 
Re: Wiring Under Cabinets Low Voltage Lights

Originally posted by luke warmwater:
[Open Trash Can Lid, Toss In. Simple and Effective.
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LOL :D :D

I prefer a ceremonial destruction with my hammer. :D

[ January 11, 2005, 08:00 PM: Message edited by: peter d ]
 
Re: Wiring Under Cabinets Low Voltage Lights

Originally posted by hcecabigdog:
we've been having problems with a company called seagull lighting.

We've installed miles of Seagull Ambiance systems.
Never had a problem with the company.

we've been battling this company for 10 or more years now.

Your battle shouldn't be with Seagull, it should be with the NEC. Keep submitting proposals.

as far as i know we are the only jurisdiction making the remove it or run it in a raceway.

Cecil County, MD allows it to be concealed in the wall.

the company makes a nice transitions for rx back to the cord.

We've used plenty of them. They work fine.
Like I said, the argument shouldn't be with Seagull. They have a product to transition to the Ambiance wire.

Do you size your NM, etc. for the load??
Remember, Amps is Amps.
:eek:
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