Grounding Question - Light Fixture
#1
01-19-14, 06:26 AM
Grounding Question - Light Fixture
I have a outdoor weatherproof box with a halogen light connected to it. Its mounted over an electrical box that is recessed into the soffit. It is not directly connected to it by a bracket or the mounting tabs, rather screwed into the sofit and the wries are run thru the knockout. I noticed a ground wire was run between the box behind it with a grounding clip to the screw in the weatherproof box.
When I check the fixture for continuity I can get ohm indication between the box behind it and the screws on the fixture. The screws being the ones that hold the lamp holder cover to the weatherproof box and also the screws on the lampholder.
However, just touching bare metal portion of the fixture I cant get the same reading.
Can anyone explain that for me? And about light fixture grounding in general?
When I check the fixture for continuity I can get ohm indication between the box behind it and the screws on the fixture. The screws being the ones that hold the lamp holder cover to the weatherproof box and also the screws on the lampholder.
However, just touching bare metal portion of the fixture I cant get the same reading.
Can anyone explain that for me? And about light fixture grounding in general?
#2
01-19-14, 06:43 AM
It is not directly connected to it by a bracket or the mounting tabs, rather screwed into the sofit and the wries are run thru the knockout.9
#3
01-19-14, 12:32 PM
Im getting a reading because as I said the fixture is connected to the box under it with a grounding wire.
There are no exposed wires, the box is directly over the other box and the wires come thru the center knockout into the other box. The 4" weatherproof box is larger than the 2x3 device box in the soffit.
This is the fixture in question (sans the weather proof box that comes with the kit):
There are no exposed wires, the box is directly over the other box and the wires come thru the center knockout into the other box. The 4" weatherproof box is larger than the 2x3 device box in the soffit.
This is the fixture in question (sans the weather proof box that comes with the kit):
#5
01-19-14, 02:25 PM
Youer familiar with these, its a standard flood light. Knockouts screw in, you can add sealant to the threads.
This box is mounted over a small device box in a wood soffit, it sits flush with soffit. No exposed wiring, the 2x14g plus a ground come thru the knockout in the center.
I was concerned that having the one box under this one would break the accessible wiring rule but it is technically accessible maybe a little inconvienient to unscrew the construction screws that attaches it to the soffit by the ears you see in the photo.
This box is mounted over a small device box in a wood soffit, it sits flush with soffit. No exposed wiring, the 2x14g plus a ground come thru the knockout in the center.
I was concerned that having the one box under this one would break the accessible wiring rule but it is technically accessible maybe a little inconvienient to unscrew the construction screws that attaches it to the soffit by the ears you see in the photo.
#6
01-19-14, 02:36 PM
Member
However, just touching bare metal portion of the fixture I cant get the same reading.
Can anyone explain that for me? And about light fixture grounding in general?
Can anyone explain that for me? And about light fixture grounding in general?
#9
01-19-14, 05:59 PM
pcboss
You do not need the surface mount box. The flush mount box will contain the splice.
You do not need the surface mount box. The flush mount box will contain the splice.
The fixture wires are not long enough to get into the box in the soffit so I have pigtails leading into the weatherproof box where they attach to the fixture wire.
Does any of this sound like a code violation or safety hazard?
#11
01-20-14, 04:52 AM
My question remains, does any of this sound like like a code violation?
Why would I go to all that trouble if the current installation is compliant?
I'd replace the recessed gem box with a 4" round old work box and install the light directly to that box.
#12
01-20-14, 05:33 AM
Why would I go to all that trouble if the current installation is compliant?
#13
01-20-14, 06:07 AM
To be truly honest in my own house I'd probably do neither. I'd just use the existing box and screw the light to the soffit covering the box
#14
01-20-14, 06:21 AM
Not important because I am not suggesting you do it that way but I mean I'd screw the light directly to the soffit. The screws going in to the wood of the soffit and the base of the light positioned to cover the existing box that is flush with the soffit.
#16
01-20-14, 09:14 AM
Can you post a pic of the existing box without the surface mount box in place?
Even if I wanted to, you cannot mount the bulb cover of the Flood Kit to a 2x2x3 box like you suggested or as Ray said he might try.
Not to confuse matters (and this may be irrelevant to my inquiry) There is also aluminum soffit material surrounding the light. The weatherproof box acts as an extension so the fixture will fit properly through the hole cut in the material.
Bottom line, I know there is a box accessibility rule in the NEC. Do you think this violates this rule?
