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Thursday, November 2, 2023

Question:

Hi Charlie Trout, absolutely love the dialog that comes from discussing the Code Question of the Day with my co-workers every morning. As an Inspector I was asked about the junction boxes that come with the LED ceiling recessed luminaires, and the required support. Do the junction boxes that seem to float above the drywall ceilings need to be secured to a rafter, joist, or other support member above the drywall? We have had a grand go about on this one, I see some inspectors asking that they be secured, others never see them in finish stage after the rough of wires in place awaiting drywall. I look forward to what Charlie says about this one. Regards, Bill Schell

A

Answer:

Hello Bill, thank you for participating and happy to hear that you and your co-workers are enjoying the CQD. This is a great question, highlighting the common occurrence of ignoring the provided installation instructions. The “Canless” recess LED luminaires you mentioned in the question have integral termination compartments which are not covered by the scope of Article 314, therefore the support requirements in Section 314.23 would not apply. However, luminaires of this type that are listed by a recognized NRTL, will likely require the termination compartment to be supported in the installation instructions. It is important to emphasize that the installation instructions are indeed part of the listing of that luminaire. Failure to follow the installation instructions violates the listing of that luminaire.

ABOUT CQD: The Code Question of the Day (CQD) is NECA and ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Magazine’s flagship National Electrical Code (NEC®) public forum for the industry, sponsored by EATON. The daily distribution of Q&A generates a lively dialogue and shares relative Code-based practical responses.

SUBMIT YOUR CODE QUESTION: Click here to submit a question to for inclusion in an upcoming edition of the Code Question of the Day, or email codequestion@necanet.org. 

CHARLIE TROUT: Charles M. Trout, better known as Charlie, was a nationally known NEC® expert and author. He served on several NEC® technical committees and is past chairman of CMP-12. In 2006 Charlie was awarded the prestigious Coggeshall Award for outstanding contributions to the electrical contracting industry, codes and standards development, and technical training. Even though Charlie passed away in October of 2015, his work continues in spirit. NECA continues to maintain this question forum for its many subscribers in memory and recognition of all his significant contributions to making the NEC what it is today.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: Unless the question requests a response based on a specific edition, all answers are based on the latest edition of NFPA 70® National Electrical Code®.

This correspondence is not a formal interpretation of the NEC® and any responses expressed to the questions are opinions and do not necessarily represent the official position of NECA, NFPA, the NEC Correlating Committee any Code-making panel or other electrical technical committee. In addition, this correspondence is neither intended, nor should it be relied upon, to provide professional consultation or services. 

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