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Luminaire

SCBO1

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Oct 28, 2009
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Is a lighted sign considered a luminaire by definition?

Reason I have an exterior lighted LED sign being feed by a cord type wire tied to a exterior flood light junction box. I would like to see, flex conduit, EMT, non-metallic conduit or wiring feed through the back of the cabinet. The wiring is very high and hard to determine the type of cable, looks like a black rubber jacket?

This is a real hoaky install!

Would the violation be NEC 400.8?
 
400.8? Check again please.

First, is this a sign? If it is (which you say it is), then is it listed by any of the labs in the NRTL? Listed components don't make a listed assembly. The assembly itself has to be listed. Next, what cabinet are you talking about? You said, exterior lighted LED sign. Sounds like SO cord but it is SO cord that is listed for exterior use? Where are the specs for the listed sign? If listed under one of the NRTL labs, do the directions state to use supplied cord?
 
Luminaire. A complete lighting unit consisting of a light source such as a lamp or lamps, together with the parts designed to position the light source and connect it to the power supply. It may also include parts to protect the light source or the ballast or to distribute the light. A lampholder itself is not a luminaire.

A sign is not a luminaire. A sign is labeled at the factory where it was made. The label shall have the listing agency mark. The description you have provided tells me that 120volt power is fed to the led driver that is within the body of the sign. This will require a disconnect which can be a switch mounted on the sign. I would require an up close look inside the sign.

I have seen it mentioned here at the forum in other threads that SO cord is used as permanent wiring. I suspect that your inquiry as to whether the sign qualifies as a luminaire has to do with the SO cord. I would not allow a flexible cord run to a permanent sign.

400.7 Uses Permitted.
(A) Uses. Flexible cords and cables shall be used only for the following:
  1. (1) Pendants.

  2. (2) Wiring of luminaires.

400.8 Uses Not Permitted. Unless specifically permitted in 400.7, flexible cords and cables shall not be used for the following:

(1) As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure

(2) Where run through holes in walls, structural ceilings, suspended ceilings, dropped ceilings, or floors

(3) Where run through doorways, windows, or similar openings

(4) Where attached to building surfaces

Exception to (4): Flexible cord and cable shall be permitted to be attached to building surfaces in accordance with the provisions of 368.56(B)

(5) Where concealed by walls, floors, or ceilings or located above suspended or dropped ceilings

(6) Where installed in raceways, except as otherwise permitted in this Code

(7) Where subject to physical damage
 
SO cord listed as portable but can be used outdoors, I think we CSI' d this and determined the product but I'll soon find out when the sparky calls me back.
 
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