ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Accessing J-box behind luminaires

I thought it was not permissible to to mount a luminaire over a junction box unless there was a 2" hole to access the wires in the junction box. Was I just dreaming? I have a bunch of them that are nippled through the J-box cover and into the luminaire. In order to access the J-box would require removial of the light and wiring. At best the definition of "readily accessabile" is gray at best. I looked in 314 and 410 and got nodda. Am I going off an old wise tale or did I over look something?

IMHO, we are going into shades of 'gray area' and interp by the AHJs.

A J-box that was 'accessable' thru the 6-7" recess can hole was acceptable by some, frowned upon by others, although 'it's not an Article I have right now'. The reasoning leaned toward access to the J-box on the recess frame.

That's what has been 'on the streets' here IMHO.

A side note....anyone thrilled with having to 'work' on a J-box, or the recess frame mounted boxes???

Too dang many times. CFL cans are a booger to replace the ballast

What am I missing?

EVERY fixture is supposed to be mounted over a junction box - they even give you a little bracket to hang the lamp from the box. UL counts the space under the rosette as part of the required wiring space.

Thoses are fine for me Reno. My situation is in order to access or to inspect the j box, will require the un-wiring and removal of the light then the cover. The light is connected by a 1/2" nipple through the box cover

In the strictest reading, the luminaire is *not* part of the building finish, otherwise you could not have an old work can.
When you take that old work can logic to it's logical conclusion you could have to remove any part of a luminaire or other equipment to get to the box behind it.
If some crafty carpenter came along behind you and put a little piece of trim around that light that kept you from removing it, you are not accessible anymore.

OK, now Im on the same page with ya. I seem to feel that there is something about a 2" 'hole' to provide access to the wiring in a box that a luminaire is mounted over. Like a strip fluorescent fixture surface mounted over a flush mounted box. (Wish I could draw)

Now....where did I see that???

Thinking back (years)....what we here on the east coast called a 'wrap around' surface mount 2 or 4 lamp F40 fluorescent....thought there was a large (2") KO centered in the wiring cover?
Hmmmm; any one with a good memory?

I remember those fixtures Hotline

Try page 2 of this pdf

http://www.acuitybrandslighting.com/library/LL/documents/SpecSheets/LBW.pdf

Both a 2" and a 7/8" KO are available at "E".

I'd that hole required per code? I'll dig in my old code books tomorrow

Electure:

THANKS!!!
Put my mind to rest mode now!