I wish to install 6" recessed lights into suspended ceiling, they are very light, using 60watt bulbs, or possibly CF bulbs.
Do recessed lights in a suspeneded ceiling require them to be supported with wire from the joists above, or can they just be mounted into the ceiling tile(2x4)? Is there any other way they can be mounted into the ceiling tile?
Do I need to run armored cable from the juction box to the light?
Thanks, samurai.
It varies by jurisdiction, but they cannot be mounted to the tile. There are special bars with clips that mount them to the Tbar, but they're often required to have additional support from the framing above. Type AC cable is not a requirement unless it's a local one
Commercial-size (2x4)lights usually have their own hanging wires or chains, in my experience- don't know if code requires it, but as flimsy as most grids are, it is cheap insurance against head bonks, especially in earthquake country. For a round can light, a single wire hanger would probably be plenty. Even the stiff tiles tend to sag in humid weather, so best to not load any weight on them. The ones I have seen installed all had armored cable, but it was pretty lightweight. I think it is more to protect the wires when people are mucking about up there, so the wires don't get caught between sharp metal edges on the grid or fixtures.
'Standard commercial practice' is usually standard for a reason.aem sends...
Never heard of "standard commercial practice", however the NEC would require specific types of metallic cables, such as MC for wiring in the void above a hung ceiling, when it's used as a plenum, in a commercial environment. This doesn't apply in a dwelling
I didn't look up the specifics, but 2x4 drop-ins "sometimes" have to be attached to a solid ceiling above. I believe at least one reason is so they don't come down on firemen when a drop ceiling looses its integrity.
Also didn't look it up, but 2x4s used to be required to be attached to the main runners with "earthquake clips". May now be obsolete.
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