I have a few fluorescent STYLE 'L' lights to hang and I was going to wire them using 14-3 SJ cord. Upon further review of the job, and the wiring method, I'm not sure if I will compy with code.

The lights will hang on jackchain that'll be attached to joists above a suspended ceiling. I want to tie-wrap the cord to the jackchain and run it through the ceiling to the junction box so the job will look as neat as possible. Article 400.7 (2) says cords can be used for luminaires, but article 400.8 (3) forbids running cords through a suspended ceiling. What should I do?

[This message has been edited by ShockMe77 (edited 03-06-2006).]

Don't use a cord, use AC or MC.

What looks neat and meets Code: mount a receptacle within a junction box in the soft lid.

CADDY and B-Line make supports for it. (512)

Then just plug the SOJ into the receptacle.

SO/ SOJ cannot go above the lid: not rated for the heat up there.

The run from the receptacle junction box to the branch circuit would normally be MC.

A seismic wire to sustain the j-box would also be in order.

Otherwise, go all of the way with MC/ Greenfield. It looks nasty going through the lid. But it costs less.

You choose.

Thanks for the replies, guys. I am going to come down with 12-2 MC at each fixture and do whatever splicing necessary in the ceiling above. I was just curious as to why the cord couldn't be run through the drop-ceiling (heat), now I know why. Thanks.