electrical question

Anybody have any input on how you would install the light fixtures in a drop down ceiling. The lighting is not florecent. Thank you in advance.

Back the tile with plywood. Cut a piece of plywood the same size as the tile as long as the grids installed properly it will hold your basic light fixture.

I don’t have any idea what code is for this. I should have mentioned that. Thanks for the response Shaley

Code what code

I haven’t done any work in Mn for 15 years but I know down here thats how the electritions do it. But we aren’t a union state, things I know are done a little different up there.

If your using fixtures that are surface mounted to the ceiling the plywood sounds like it would work but make sure you still use an elec. box to connect wires in. Also make sure you tie the grid up on all 4 sides of fixture. If your installing this new you might think about going with 2×2 instead of 2×4. 2×4 will tend to sag over time. If your using can lights you can get supports that attach to the grid.

They have steel brackets w/ mounting clip and 1/4-20 screw for securing the box to the bracket that will span the 2 foot section of the grid. If the fixture is heavy run some ceing wire from top of box to whatever solid structure is above your drop ceiling. Any electrical wholesale house would have this bracket.

Doug I actually just did this, well that is if your talking about putting recessed lighting in. They have a housing unit that sits on top of the tracking and you cut a hole in your tile for your light. Brad

MN electrical code says you must have fixtures supported off something other then the acoustical grid for 2×2 or 2×4 fixtures. Most Sparkys I know run a wire (same type you are holding your grid up with) to the deck and fasten it.

If you are using surface mounted lights, they make a small clip that fastens to the grid also. This will hold your fixture while you install the remaining supports.

If you are using cans, get the proper cans with brackets that will slide over the grid, and set the height of the cans. Either way, make sure they are supported properly, and do all your connections inside a junction box.

Good Luck

Oh boy, I can’t believe I am doing this…. what’s this for ? Mikes cabin ?

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