Use of pancake boxes

[Robert Ellenberg]

Can you use these for mounting light fixtures? I know you can mount fixtures with closed backs and knockouts without a box but I have a location I need to mount a wall fixture on a solid wall. I thought perhaps it is within code to use it since the canopy of the fixture gives soom room to make up the wire connections. If not, how can you use a box with only 4.5 CI?

 

[Mule]

Re: Use of pancake boxes

Sorry no one has answered this....so I'll bump it back up and try to get a response.

 

[raider1]

Re: Use of pancake boxes

Can you use these for mounting light fixtures? I know you can mount fixtures with closed backs and knockouts without a box but I have a location I need to mount a wall fixture on a solid wall. I thought perhaps it is within code to use it since the canopy of the fixture gives soom room to make up the wire connections. If not, how can you use a box with only 4.5 CI?

Yes, a pancake box can be used to support a luminaire. If the luminaire canopy is marked with a volume you can use that volume in conjunction with the volume of the pancake box to meet the box fill requirements. (take a look at 314.16(A))

Chris

 

[north star]

Re: Use of pancake boxes

The pancake type box [ PB ] will be ' surface ' mounted to a solid wall surface? How will

the light fixture be attached to the PB? Is the weight of the fixture a concern for the

structural capacity of the PB [ i.e. - will the PB actually support the weight of the fixture? ],

or are there other means of support planned? Just asking some prelim. questions...

`08 NEC - Art. 314.23(A).

 

[Robert Ellenberg]

Re: Use of pancake boxes

I intend to mount it flush (recessed 5/8" from wall surface) and screwed solidly through the back of the metal box into structure material behind it and then hang a lightweight fixture from a fixture bar that would be attached to the box.

 

[fatboy]

Re: Use of pancake boxes

FWIW, I wouldn't have a problem with it...........

 

[north star]

Re: Use of pancake boxes

Is the wall that you want to mount this "pancake type" box non-combustible?

See Art. 314.20 [ `08 NEC ] for the limits on recessing the box.

 

[Robert Ellenberg]

Re: Use of pancake boxes

Yes, it is steel. Thanks for the reference.