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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2017 8:28:00 GMT -6
Do you think this is a code violation?
I pulled an long rectangular outside light fixture off the wall and found the junction box cut into the siding at the bottom of the fixture. The mounting bracket with the studs to hold the fixture was screwed to the wood siding above the junction box instead of directly to the junction box. The back of the fixture covered the junction box.
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Post by Electrical Code Academy Staff on Feb 10, 2017 10:55:28 GMT -6
Greetings Alpelec, This can vary from manufacturers to manufacturer. However, the one I usually see has instructions that state the following : "This fixture is intended to be connected to a properly installed and grounded UL listed junction box." so if the instruction tell the installer to connect it to a grounded UL listed junction box then that is what is required per 110.3(B) based on the manufacturers instructions that are also part of their listing. Now, you also have fixtures (luminaries) that have back pans (like the bar lights we see in bathrooms for example) that have a punched hole in the middle with a grommet to protect the conductors as they enter into the lighting fixture (luminaire) and that is how they are designed. The pan screws to the wall itself (usually with toggle bolts) and the conductors come through the grommet and the EGC bonds the pan. If the luminaire came with the bracket then it was intended to be connected to the junction box....if it is not then it would in my opinion not be in compliance with 110.3(B)..but then again I am a hard line type codeologist...lol Now...is the thing you describe common...heck yeah..and in many cases there is not junction box at all behind the luminaire itself which is even more of a concern. I think it also can be an issue with the type of luminaire we are talking about because the "BAR" style I described usually also has a back metal pan that separates the connections (joints) from the combustible wall material (if its combustable) and in your case it is....so citing section 314.25(B) could rear it's head in your case. The key would be to review the manufacturers instructions for installation...but I would doubt they would allow the mounting bracket to be secured to the surface other than to the junction box as I described earlier by one manufacturer (lithonia...by the way) www.acuitybrands.com/products/detail/108030/Lithonia-Lighting/MWS/LED-Mini-Sconce-Fitters-with-Mix-and-Match-Shades/-/media/products/Lithonia_Lighting/108030/document/U219541T_-LED-Sconce-revB_pdf.pdfNow...not that I am advocating this (well...) the support of the luminaire has to be as follows : 410.30 Supports. (A) General. Luminaires and lampholders shall be securely supported. ( it is ) You still have to get by the following : 410.6 Listing Required. All luminaires, lampholders, and retrofit kits shall be listed. ( then we have to defer back to the 110.3(B) listings and instructions for guidance.) Then you have : 410.36(C) : Luminaire Studs. Luminaire studs that are not a part of outlet boxes, hickeys, tripods, and crowfeet shall be made of steel, malleable iron, or other material suitable for the application. (but chances are that mounting bracket again is part of the listed luminaire and is designed for use with the instructions that came with the luminaire.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2017 7:19:42 GMT -6
I figured the installation instructions would come up in any reply Even if the mounting bracket had been installed directly on the junction box with this fixture there still would be about 4 inches of exposed wood siding above and below the junction box behind the back of the fixture. Whenever I install a setup similar to that it always makes me wonder about the combustible material exposed to the wiring. Ah, yes you certainly are a codeologist. Thank you.
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