GFCIs and Garages and lights
#1
08-13-04, 05:59 PM
GFCIs and Garages and lights
I'd like to install lights in my new under-construction garage. The kind of lights that have worked very well for me are called "shop lights" like this
They have 12" cords and plug into ceiling outlets and their 4' fluorescent bulbs provide terrific area lighting for shops, garages, etc.
With the new codes, will ceiling outlets for these lights have to be on a GFCI circuit? How do fluorescents like GFCI?
They have 12" cords and plug into ceiling outlets and their 4' fluorescent bulbs provide terrific area lighting for shops, garages, etc.
With the new codes, will ceiling outlets for these lights have to be on a GFCI circuit? How do fluorescents like GFCI?
#2
08-13-04, 07:35 PM
Beware of cheap shop lights.
Can't tell from your link what shop lights your using... but you need to ensure the shop lights you are installing have -0- degree ballasts. Otherwise during cold periods the lights will fail to ignite. Here is a link to 4' fixtures with 0 degree ballasts in them. http://doityourself.com/store/2472132.htm ... They also include a 5' cord.
As far as the receptacles in the ceiling for these lights... no they do not require GFCI protection as long as they are dedicated for the lights. However, you must use "single receptacles" to do this. Take a peek at this link... http://www.twacomm.com/Catalog/Model_5251-I.htm
Any other receptacle in the garage ceiling/wall will require GFCI protection... Flourscent lights work fine on GFCI... so if you want to put normal duplex receptacles in the ceiling that are protected by a GFCI to power these lights.. go for it..
-don
As far as the receptacles in the ceiling for these lights... no they do not require GFCI protection as long as they are dedicated for the lights. However, you must use "single receptacles" to do this. Take a peek at this link... http://www.twacomm.com/Catalog/Model_5251-I.htm
Any other receptacle in the garage ceiling/wall will require GFCI protection... Flourscent lights work fine on GFCI... so if you want to put normal duplex receptacles in the ceiling that are protected by a GFCI to power these lights.. go for it..
-don
#3
08-13-04, 10:11 PM
GFCIs and garage lights
Thanks for the explanation. In my current garage, I have duplex receptaqcles and both are used for shop lights. This gives me 8' of lights and it's very effective. I'd like to do the same in the addition. Would this qualify as "dedicated"?
#5
08-14-04, 09:00 AM
Member
In my opinion, since the receptacles are on the ceiling, they are not readily accessible. Therefore, they do not need to be GFCI, and they need be neither dedicated nor simplex receptacles. This falls under the same exception normally used for garage door openers, not the exception normally used for garage freezers.
#6
08-14-04, 02:34 PM
Thanks diydon for the link for the 0-degree ballasts...ive been having a tough time finding those lights.
I have a question though... I was to replace a single exposed bulb ficture with a ceiling mount shop light ... Are there fixtures that would use the existing wiring and hook up directly to the wiring instead of being plugged in?
Thanks for any help.
Lou
I have a question though... I was to replace a single exposed bulb ficture with a ceiling mount shop light ... Are there fixtures that would use the existing wiring and hook up directly to the wiring instead of being plugged in?
Thanks for any help.
Lou
#7
08-14-04, 02:36 PM
Member
Yes, but why? It'll take about five minutes and a buck to put a receptacle there.
Whether or not you need cold-weather ballasts depends on how cold it gets in your garage.
Whether or not you need cold-weather ballasts depends on how cold it gets in your garage.
#8
08-14-04, 02:46 PM
Well now that you put it that way... i guess it would be easier just throwing an outlet up there instead.
I was just thinking a nice flush mount flourescent fixture would look nicer than one hanging. It does get below freezing in our garage sometimes so I would need a cold weather ballast.
2 questions...
1. Do they sell an adaptor of some sort to convert a round electrical box to one that fits a duplex recepticle.
2. Do they sell 0-degree ballast flush mount flourescent fixtures?
Thanks so much for your help.
I was just thinking a nice flush mount flourescent fixture would look nicer than one hanging. It does get below freezing in our garage sometimes so I would need a cold weather ballast.
2 questions...
1. Do they sell an adaptor of some sort to convert a round electrical box to one that fits a duplex recepticle.
2. Do they sell 0-degree ballast flush mount flourescent fixtures?
Thanks so much for your help.
#9
08-14-04, 05:59 PM
yes and yes.
Originally Posted by buggdog
Well now that you put it that way... i guess it would be easier just throwing an outlet up there instead.
I was just thinking a nice flush mount flourescent fixture would look nicer than one hanging. It does get below freezing in our garage sometimes so I would need a cold weather ballast.
2 questions...
1. Do they sell an adaptor of some sort to convert a round electrical box to one that fits a duplex recepticle.
2. Do they sell 0-degree ballast flush mount flourescent fixtures?
Thanks so much for your help.
I was just thinking a nice flush mount flourescent fixture would look nicer than one hanging. It does get below freezing in our garage sometimes so I would need a cold weather ballast.
2 questions...
1. Do they sell an adaptor of some sort to convert a round electrical box to one that fits a duplex recepticle.
2. Do they sell 0-degree ballast flush mount flourescent fixtures?
Thanks so much for your help.
1. Do they sell an adaptor of some sort to convert a round electrical box to one that fits a duplex recepticle.
Yes... check out this link.. http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=prod...0000334-869-SP
2. Do they sell 0-degree ballast flush mount flourescent fixtures?
Yes...
Put 4 of these in my 26'x25 garage... IS296HO-120
http://www.daybrite.com/day-briteflu...re.cfm?ID=1675
You can get them with/without the "hood".
-don
