Installing fluorescent lights

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farmerjohn1324

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I was left with a Romex coming out of the ceiling to put in fluorescent lights. The lights work, but can't be screwed into the ceiling this way.

Does there need to be a box in the ceiling to house the wires?
 

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Why cant you screw it to the celling with toggle bolts and tuck the wires down the channel?

The top is just a flat surface.

Are you saying there is a space between the ceiling and top of fixture? And this space is covered by the light cover? (Which are broken and need to be replaced).
 
No box is needed usually with a florescent fixture as the fixture has an internal housing for the wires. The romex usually goes in the back of the fixture (the part that sits flush to the ceiling and then a stress relief is used (romex connector) to secure the romex to the fixture. The connections are made inside the removable portion of the fixture where the ballast is mounted. If the wires from the romex are not long enough to reach the wires in the fixture adding jumper wires to extend them is acceptable practice in the trade.
 
No box is needed usually with a florescent fixture as the fixture has an internal housing for the wires. The romex usually goes in the back of the fixture (the part that sits flush to the ceiling and then a stress relief is used (romex connector) to secure the romex to the fixture. The connections are made inside the removable portion of the fixture where the ballast is mounted. If the wires from the romex are not long enough to reach the wires in the fixture adding jumper wires to extend them is acceptable practice in the trade.

Does it need to be screwed to studs?

Here's a picture of a different light at my house. It has a space between the bulbs and the ceiling that this light doesn't seem to have.
 

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Only difference is one is hung and one is screwed in. either way the connections are made inside the fixture with a stress relief connector.
 
So these wires are supposed to be like this? Not in the ceiling? Seems kind of dangerous when someone goes to change the bulb.
 

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There is a metall cover that snaps in and hides the wires.

I think this is the metal cover you're talking about, but if I put it on, there's no room for the wires/wire nuts above it because it's flush with the ceiling. The only way is to cut a rather large hole in the ceiling and shove the wires up there. It seems like this should have a box just like any other light or fan. Is there something I'm not seeing?
 

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I think this is the metal cover you're talking about, but if I put it on, there's no room for the wires/wire nuts above it because it's flush with the ceiling. The only way is to cut a rather large hole in the ceiling and shove the wires up there. It seems like this should have a box just like any other light or fan. Is there something I'm not seeing?
You are looking for a piece the same length as the light and about 4" wide that is bent in a V shape
 
You are looking for a piece the same length as the light and about 4" wide that is bent in a V shape

I see nothing like this. Not even in the box of the new fixture I bought today.

This 4' long "V" runs the entire length of the fixture, and separates the fixture from the ceiling?
 
I see nothing like this. Not even in the box of the new fixture I bought today.

This 4' long "V" runs the entire length of the fixture, and separates the fixture from the ceiling?
this one as a flat piece sitting beside the piece he is working on.
 
Please post a link to the exact light fixture you are referring to Farmer. The video Neal posted shows without starting it that the piece of metal next to the light fixture is the cover that goes onto the fixture and at each end you have a small metal knob that you twist about 1/2 turn and it locks this covers into place.

Once you post the link for the fixture we may be able to see if your fixture may differ a bit from what we think you are referring to.
 
Please post a link to the exact light fixture you are referring to Farmer. The video Neal posted shows without starting it that the piece of metal next to the light fixture is the cover that goes onto the fixture and at each end you have a small metal knob that you twist about 1/2 turn and it locks this covers into place.

Once you post the link for the fixture we may be able to see if your fixture may differ a bit from what we think you are referring to.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithoni...White-Utility-Light-3348-2L32W-WRAP/100654395
 

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The only installation instruction sheet I can find is a link on the HDepot site but that link shows with an error. Only other thing I can find is the spec sheet which tells me nothing.

I can't imagine that the light fixture would not have its own wiring housing like all the others i have installed or have seen.

Even the photo on the HD site don't show the fixture's internal area at all. Only outside look from different angles. If you already bought it which I believe you did, didn't it come with an installation instruction sheet? I would think it would be quite self-explanatory; you can post a picture of the instruction sheet and we can go from there but again I would think it won't require any type of device box other than its internal wiring housing.
 
The only installation instruction sheet I can find is a link on the HDepot site but that link shows with an error. Only other thing I can find is the spec sheet which tells me nothing.

I can't imagine that the light fixture would not have its own wiring housing like all the others i have installed or have seen.

Even the photo on the HD site don't show the fixture's internal area at all. Only outside look from different angles. If you already bought it which I believe you did, didn't it come with an installation instruction sheet? I would think it would be quite self-explanatory; you can post a picture of the instruction sheet and we can go from there but again I would think it won't require any type of device box other than its internal wiring housing.

These lights came with the house.

I got the make/model off a sticker.

So, no instruction manual.
 
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