Wiring garage lights

[Buerste]

I recovered five eight-foot 2-bulb fluorescent fixtures from my old garage
and want to mount them in my new garage. I can't find my code book at the
office after the last major cleaning and the mistake of adding a 250 sq ft
store room my office, it just collects MORE junk.

The garage is finished drywall. Do I need conduit? Can I use Greenfield?
I'm tempted to staple-up zip cord, I admit I did that at the old house.

[Bob AZ]

> The garage is finished drywall. �Do I need conduit? �Can I use Greenfield?
> I'm tempted to staple-up zip cord, I admit I did that at the old house.

Buerste

Probably not depending of course on the code requirements as adopted
by the municipality where you are adding the lights. Use Romex or UHF
depending on the local requirements. But do yourself and hack out as
necessary enough drywall to conceal the wiring. A plus would be to
hack out all the drywall and install the maximun amount possible of
insulation. And why you are in the ceiling put in some overhead
electrical outlets.

Bob AZ

[Ecnerwal]

In article <hpea67$h6c$1...@speranza.aioe.org>,
"Buerste" <bue...@buerste.com> wrote:

Unless and until an inspector looks at it, you can do what you like.

Unless you want to punch & patch holes in the drywall, conduit is
probably the only correct answer - and EMT (or PVC) is pretty
cheap/easy. Greenfield looks like old Armored BX armor, and I suppose it
would work too. I'd use a ground wire as well, after very limited
reading on it, but then I use a ground wire in other metallic conduit,
on general principles (which may or may not also be code at this point,
I don't know/care.) The major argument in favor of doing it right is
fire prevention, and the garage is often a problematic place to have a
fire, with various fuel sources scattered about.

An inspector could be looking at it after the house burns down - that
would be a poor (and expensive) time to think you could have done it
right, IMHO.

--
Cats, coffee, chocolate...vices to live by

[Don Foreman]

On Mon, 5 Apr 2010 23:35:46 -0400, "Buerste" <bue...@buerste.com>
wrote:

Check codes applicable in your municipality over and above NEC. My
garage is wired with Romex and passed inspection. Zip cord is not
acceptable as permanent wiring, must have a plug that goes to a
code-compliant socket which would be GFI in a garage. That's if you
want to do it right. I have lights wired with zipcord and plugs.
They're non-permanent, only been there 25 years or so.

[kfvo...@gmail.com]

I recommend grounding the fixtures whatever you do. It's supposed to
make them easier to start.
Karl

[Stormin Mormon]

I do that kind of thing, now and again. Do a patch job.
Sadly, years later it's still a patch job. when I look at
(whatever the thing) I regret not spending the extra time to
do a nice job.

I sense that you are having the same indecision. My advice
is to get the conduit and do it good. Every time you go in
the garage, you'll see the good wiring, and feel good about
it.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

"Buerste" <bue...@buerste.com> wrote in message
news:hpea67$h6c$1...@speranza.aioe.org...

[Jim Stewart]

Use BX with a ground wire. Not really overkill,
looks good and will keep an inspector happy.
Be sure to use those little insulator/chaffing
preventer plastic sleeves.