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Posted By: sparkync Vegetation as mounting means?? - 10/24/07 05:02 PM
I see in the code that you're not suppose to use vegetation such as a tree for securing overhead spans, but does it say anywhere that you cannot use them for mounting means, such as a flood light? I didn't think you could, but don't know the code reference. I would be coming up from the bottom of the tree for the feed. And if not for 120 volts, how about low voltage wiring?? Thanks... Steve
Posted By: Yoopersup Re: Vegetation as mounting means?? - 10/24/07 05:19 PM
2005 N.E.C. 410.16 (H)
Posted By: sparkync Re: Vegetation as mounting means?? - 10/24/07 05:37 PM
Thanks for the quick reply. I thought I had read it but couldn't remenber where it was. I'm assuming this is including low voltage lighting also, even though they make the low voltage lighting for tree application and in their spec's show mounting them in trees or is there another reference for this. I didn't see any exceptions. Thanks again. Steve
Posted By: HotLine1 Re: Vegetation as mounting means?? - 10/24/07 09:53 PM
Steve:
Basoically, you can install a fixture on a tree, or other live vegatation. You CANNOT support wiring from 'tree to tree' or structure to tree.

Common practice for landscape lighting is to mount fixtures in the tree with the circuit coming up from the ground. PVC conduit with listed straps. Long term maintenance will be required as the tree grows.

Reference is 410.16 (h)

Posted By: George Little Re: Vegetation as mounting means?? - 10/24/07 11:04 PM
What about my Xmas tree smile
Hey aren't utility poles dead trees?
Actually I agree with John.
Posted By: Theelectrikid Re: Vegetation as mounting means?? - 10/25/07 01:04 AM
Originally Posted by George Little
What about my Xmas tree smile
Hey aren't utility poles dead trees?


If that's the case then we have to rewrite the whole code when it comes to stick-frame.

Ian A.
Posted By: gfretwell Re: Vegetation as mounting means?? - 10/25/07 05:57 AM
Come on George, you know the NEC doesn't apply to holiday decorations. You can run zip cord in an "assembly" occupancy, string lights outside in the snow that wouldn't be safe at 12v but run on 120. This is when they sell 3 packs of cube taps and cheap extension cords by the cartful.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Christmas lights in a hospital room.
If you are ever going to trip a breaker it is usually at Christmas.
What could possibly go wrong with putting a tree in your house that was killed a month and a half ago, hauled half way across the country and stacked in the sun for a few weeks. Then you take it home, pack it with a kilowatt of asian lights with questionable listing marks and ignore it for hours.

Is there anyone here who doesn't have a Christmas fire story a friend of a friend away (or closer)?
Posted By: George Little Re: Vegetation as mounting means?? - 10/25/07 11:57 AM
Yeah Greg, Silly me. Your right, I forgot about the most Holy seasons like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Xmas etc when the code takes a holiday.

I cringe when I make an inspection and see a screw in adaptor in the proch fixture feeding a 3 wire plug strip where the ground prong is not connected to anything and the strip has no less than 6 strings of lights plugged into it.

Silly me. HEY the plug strip has an overcurrent device in it!! Kinda Spooooky at Halloween.
Posted By: Zapped Re: Vegetation as mounting means?? - 10/25/07 01:56 PM
Well, everybody knows that you can hook up as many x-mas light strands as you want in a row. After all, they're just LITTLE bulbs. Besides, you have to have more lights than your neighbor. Don't wann look STUPID!
Posted By: SteveFehr Re: Vegetation as mounting means?? - 10/25/07 03:14 PM
Didja all see that mythbusters where they kept plugging in christmas lights trying to catch the tree on fire? Apparently, they just wouldn't get hot enough; they'd blow the internal fuses first.

They DID, however, plug in way too many lights in parallel on the thinnest extension cord they could find, just like too many homeowners, and succeeded in lighting the cord up like a torch. Was interesting, to say the least!
Posted By: HotLine1 Re: Vegetation as mounting means?? - 10/26/07 12:14 PM
BTW, anyone notice the "holiday" light strings painstakingly wrapped around 'non-christmas type' trees for the decorative effects??
Outside (and inside) year-round.....

GFI recept and bubble cover at grade of each tree, circuits in compliance...

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