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Joined: May 2002
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Zapped, can you provide the name of the manufacturer of the product you are using?
Roger
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The link below is an old thread from when UL first changed the rules. The link in the thread is no longer good, (UL is sorry in keeping their pages up ) but it explained that rope lights were no longer allowed to be field cut for length. https://www.electrical-contractor.net/ubb/Forum18/HTML/000066.html Roger Edited to add the link DOH!!! [This message has been edited by Roger (edited 02-24-2007).]
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Joined: Jul 2004
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I guess the operative question is how do you stop someone from cutting the rope and how would you know if they did. These things come apart and go back together without tools and look just like the ones the Chinese guy put together. The only real effect of the U/L listing change is you can't buy the parts on bubble cards at the Home Depot anymore. Since they are cord and plug connected I am not sure how the inspector gets involved. When I see them installed, all the elctrician does is permit and install a switched receptacle. They get installed by the "decorator". There are like a table lamp.
Greg Fretwell
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Greg, it would be like most things, the only time it would be a problem or investigated for propper installation and use would be after something happened as in fire or electrocution.
A licensed contractor would have to abide by all codes, instructions, listing information, etc... whereas the end user, decorator, or who ever could do just about as they please. It's kind of like the useless 210.21(B)(2)
Roger
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I really only see the listing change affecting what US retailers can sell. Originally this product (Duralight) was designed to be field assembled by specialty contractors and that was the way it was listed. When it first came out people charged ridiculous prices for the installation. Then about 5 years ago Sam's Wholesale Club started selling it cheap as an assembled product, still no big sweat. It was when the Home Depot type stores started selling cordsets and bulk rope that U/L reevaluated the listing. BTW the last time I looked internet sellers still had "parts" but the price is so high that it is cheaper to buy stuff on the day after Christmas and go with that. They charge as much for a line cord as you can get a U/L listed 30' assembly for. I can see that an improperly assembled cord to rope joint might fail but I can't see any hazard with cutting off the end and reinstalling the inert cap. Niether of these is as complicated as putting a plug on a lamp ... but that voids the listing too. I also wonder who inspects the Chinese plant that assembles the "listed" product. BTW all the rope light I have seen is wet listed
Greg Fretwell
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Roger: I just looked back in the shop at a scrap roll and found no manufacturer info on the reel. I bought them from a place called Light Bilbs Etc. here in Orange, CA. PH# 714-532-1410. I wasn't aware of any new UL changes regarding cutting the rope, but I've purchased the "compression-type" cord assemblies and plastic end caps as recently as about 6 months ago.
Considering that toe-kick and crown lighting requires specific lengths, UL restrictions on self installed power cords and cutting-to-length of the rope will probably spell an end to using this material for those applications. Nobody is going to want to stock 100 different pre-fab lengths of these things, and having to custom order lengths will pretty much kill the cost and convenience advantages of this product.
If the LED version comes down in cost, it looks like the way to go in the future.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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Lught Bulbs etc., rather. Still haven't figures out how to edit
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Zapped, thanks for the reply. To edit a post just click on this icon at the top of your post. Roger
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Joined: Jul 2004
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Does anyone know why they modified this listing? Is there a body count? Is this just because the retail market had "unqualified" installers putting this together? By that logic I can't understand why cube taps, 2 to 3 prong adapters and cord caps are still listed. I know we all wonder why any bozo can go buy a 200a panel at the home depot ... but they can't buy a Dualight cord? The NRTLs have lost their mind. Is it any wonder NC wants to kick them out of the state.
Greg Fretwell
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101° Rx = + /_\
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