Hello Electricmanscott,
Indeed, you are so very correct. Lawsuits arise today over the most petty of circumstances. However, discussions such as this are not truly ridiculous because if an electrical contractor and/or individual electrician ever becomes the defendant in such a lawsuit (however spurious the grounds) it then becomes a very serious and expensive matter. So, having an accurate knowledge of such issues can serve as a guide and protection. This is one of the benefits of this forum.
The most definitive answer to date comes from an e-mail sent to me from a Senior Customer Service Engineer(Lighting)with Underwriters Laboratories. He states:
"The length of the screws packaged with the luminaire takes into account that there are installations that involve different spacings between the luminaire and the junction box. Also, it permits the manufacturer to use one set of screws for many different luminaire models, thereby reducing their inventory. The clause in UL 1598 that addresses the length of luminaire mounting screws is 10.2.1. It specifies that the length of the screw has to be at least 1/2 in. longer than the distances between the mounting surface and the luminaire surface with the screw hole.
You have elected to replace those screws with shorter screws of the same diameter and thread pitch. The use of those shorter screws that protrude past the other side of the threaded hole by at least 1/4 inch are sufficient to secure the luminaire. This does not void the UL Listing.
Very best regards,"
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[This message has been edited by shockmaster21 (edited 10-31-2005).]
