Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Hard wiring under cabinet fixtures
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JohnF1444
04-26-05, 02:15 AM
want to install under-cabinet flourescent fixtures (3 - 33" @18w and 1 - 18" 15w). I bought these today and want to 'hard wire' to a an outlet box and run them thru a central common switch.
I want to run the wire behind my drywall about 1" below my cabinets. I have studs every 16" or so, so I plan simply to notch out the drywall at the stud point and 'jump' it over. I don't want to rip out the wall and have to pass it in the stud by drilling a hole in it.
Most of these fixtures also come in a pre-wired version that simply has an 18 or 16 gauge lamp wire with a plug at the end so I figure I can use regular lamp wire or thicker low-voltage wire to accomplish the same thing. These are much more flexlible to 'fish' from one fixture to the next down to the outlet I want to grab the power from.
What wire should or can I use?
I want to run the wire behind my drywall about 1" below my cabinets. I have studs every 16" or so, so I plan simply to notch out the drywall at the stud point and 'jump' it over. I don't want to rip out the wall and have to pass it in the stud by drilling a hole in it.
Most of these fixtures also come in a pre-wired version that simply has an 18 or 16 gauge lamp wire with a plug at the end so I figure I can use regular lamp wire or thicker low-voltage wire to accomplish the same thing. These are much more flexlible to 'fish' from one fixture to the next down to the outlet I want to grab the power from.
What wire should or can I use?
pcboss
04-26-05, 09:59 AM
I see a couple of problems with your ideas.
1) The lighting cannot be connected to the small appliance circuits that serve the countertop receptacles.
2) The wiring you are talking about using is not listed for use behind the surface of the wall.
1) The lighting cannot be connected to the small appliance circuits that serve the countertop receptacles.
2) The wiring you are talking about using is not listed for use behind the surface of the wall.
JohnF1444
04-26-05, 11:05 AM
I drew the power from my dishwasher plug. It is on it's own breaker and I figure for the amount of time the dishwasher is on vs the under cabinet fixtures I should be ok
The wire is 14-2 heavily shielded.I know it is not ideal but the alternative would have been to rip out most of the wall, drill and pass a Ronex wire. Is it 'safe' anyways? Or am I looking at a fire hazard? :eek:
The wire is 14-2 heavily shielded.I know it is not ideal but the alternative would have been to rip out most of the wall, drill and pass a Ronex wire. Is it 'safe' anyways? Or am I looking at a fire hazard? :eek:
John Nelson
04-27-05, 03:40 AM
Your plan is okay, but personally I'd drill the joist rather than notching it. To get enough clearance to drill the joist only requires a little more drywall removal, and patching a larger hole in the drywall is just about as easy as patching a small hole. If you do notch, be sure to put nailing plates over the wire before patching.
A dishwasher is often on a 20-amp circuit, so if yours is, be sure to use 12/2 rather than 14/2. Do not use lamp cord. Use NM-B or other cable designed for concealed spaces (which lamp cord is not).
You should not cut off the plug and run the lamp cord into the box. Again, cord designed for use in free air may not be run into an electrical box. Much better would be to simply install a receptacle in the box and plug the lights in.
A key point is that certian kinds of wiring is designed to be concealed, and other kinds are designed to be exposed, and you need to keep both where they belong to avoid a hazard.
A dishwasher is often on a 20-amp circuit, so if yours is, be sure to use 12/2 rather than 14/2. Do not use lamp cord. Use NM-B or other cable designed for concealed spaces (which lamp cord is not).
You should not cut off the plug and run the lamp cord into the box. Again, cord designed for use in free air may not be run into an electrical box. Much better would be to simply install a receptacle in the box and plug the lights in.
A key point is that certian kinds of wiring is designed to be concealed, and other kinds are designed to be exposed, and you need to keep both where they belong to avoid a hazard.