ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
UL 508A SPACING
by ale348 - 03/29/24 01:09 AM
Increasing demand factors in residential
by tortuga - 03/28/24 05:57 PM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
1 members (ale348), 302 guests, and 14 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
#7246 01/26/02 02:18 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 545
A
aldav53 Offline OP
Member
I often wondered why fixture wires (usually 18g or smaller) are allowed to be tied to a 15 or 20a ckt. Would'nt there be a potential for the hot wire heating up if it came in contact with ground before the circut had a chance to blow?


The Golden Rule - "The man with the gold makes the rule"
#7247 01/26/02 02:26 PM
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 717
G
Member
Same principle as allowing your lamps to be fed with #18 or 20 zip cord. The load is definitely limited to the appliance (100 watt bulb, ballast, etc.)and there has been very little problem with any "hazard" associated.
Also, don't forget the ballasts are protected with a thermal element, so think of it like the 10 and 25 foot tap rule.

In the case of a fault, probably gonna burn itself clear before any real damage can occur, but that is why you have to be very cautious with fixtures above flammables.

For a piece of history, flourescents did not use to have Class P (Protected) ballasts when I came around the trade, and lotsa people would not allow them in their barns, houses, etc. because they had been known to cause fires.


Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5