ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Drop In Cieling

hi,
what is the best way to hang a light fixture (lightweight) from drop in cieling tile? 4 x 4.

its been awhile since i did this.

thnaks for any replies

frodo

Support the actual weight from two opposite corners of the fixture with a cable up to the underside of the slab above. Then lay it in the grid.

I rarely ever see a drop in fixture hanging from anything. There are clips you can get that lock the fixture into the grid.

And then they just sit in the grid. Never, never have seen one fall out.

There are mounting bars used for this. Caddy makes them. They snap on to the grid and you mount a box to it. Very simple to do.

[This message has been edited by Electricmanscott (edited 04-10-2002).]

hi,
thanks for the replies. i should have mentioned the type of construction. single family dwelling, one story. the house was gutted by fire and they are going back with a t-bar cieling.

all rooms except laundry and bath are getting this treatment. livng rm has 4 recessed lights, kitch has single incandescent as well as the bedroom.

i was thinking that the recessed cans would just st on the tile and clip to the t-bar...fed from 1/2 alum. flex

the other rooms i was thinking of a old work box simply cut into the tile. i know they make a box that has two spans that can attach to a joist or t-bar..that may work?

thanks

greg

300.11(A)Support wires and associated fittings that provide secure support and that are installed in addition to the ceiling grid support wires shall be permitted as the sole support. Where independent support wires are used, they shall be secured at both ends. Cables and raceways shall not be supported by ceiling grids.

"And then they just sit in the grid. Never, never have seen one fall out."

Saw 48 lay-ins fall out last summer. The whole grid on the second floor of a call center fell from holding up years of unsupported data cable.
What a mess.

Frodo an old work box in the tile will not work. It will cause the ceiling tile to sag and will not even be secure enough to mount a fixture. There are bars for evey kind of recessed light and ceiling box. These allow for proper installation. Voltron, here in Mass (not sure if its NEC too) the ceiling holds the fixtures however if they contain a ballast of some type they must be chained to the building structure. This way they remain hanging if the ceiling comes down.

I don't think Caddy makes a T-Bar hanger for 4x4 tiles. (Or do they?)
These fixtures must be independently supported, but the support fastened to the grid.
We use support wires fastened to the structure above, and EMT screwed to the housing/box and tie wired to the grid to achieve this on a 4x4. (But then again I'm in SoCA=earthquake)
You might want to check the Caddy IDS hanger if this is a surface mounted fixture.
Don't depend on the tile for any support at all.
It wouldn't hurt to call your AHJ and have them tell you what they want

[This message has been edited by electure (edited 04-10-2002).]

The CADDY Fasteners T-Grid box hanger catalog page for 2' by 4' grids.

Al