New Flourescent Lights

[High Desert Ranger]

I have 2x Flourescent lights that I am going to mount to the rafters in the roof of my garage. My question is the connection between the lights and the box that the wiring will come into. I'm gonna run romex from the switch to each light and a ceiling box for the lights, but the design of the flourescent fixtures does not have a pattern to mount the lights to the boxes, Just a large knock out, but not as big as the box.

 

[RangerSVT]

The florescent lights probbly have a 1/2" conduit hole for running the power to it, and the box you have is probably 3/4 holes...They make 3/4 to 1/2 reducer bushings for EMT conduit, or if you know an electrical contractor have him use his knockout set to open the hole in the light to 3/4, then run 3/4 to it...if you decide to encase the romex (not required by code for residential, but makes for a cleaner install), use PVC electrical conduit as its much easier to work with than EMT metal conduit
SVT

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm under the impression that you can use the light fixture as a junction box. Why use another box between the switch and lights?
Richard

 

[RangerSVT]

I'm under the impression that you can use the light fixture as a junction box. Why use another box between the switch and lights?
Richard

If he is running more than one light (which I presume he is from his wording) and depending on the layout, a junction box would be better. He may also already have a box that was previously mounted, so rather than remove it, he wants to use it...But if laid out correctly yes you can use the light fixtures themselves as a junction between the lights
SVT

 

[High Desert Ranger]

I plan on installing standard Ceiling boxes Ceiling (of all places) for when the ceiling gets drywalled. On top of that opening I plan on putt 2 8' flourescent fixtures that have a hole knockout right in the center that looks like it would be 2.5" in diameter but it has 2 sides that are a little flat.
(_) sorta like that but with the last side there.

 

[RangerSVT]

Uhm, okay, you lost me...Can you post some pics, cause I can't visualize what you are talking about
SVT

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

If I remember correctly, there is a 1/2" or4 3/4" knockout on the 2x4 fluorescent light fixture that you can use instead of another box+the fixture. Worst case, drill your own, and add the plastic or metal wire holder thingy. If you NEED to use the box, what your planning seems feasible[ if I'm picturing it in my head correctly], but I'm not a licensed electrician.
Richard

 

[High Desert Ranger]

Sorry, just double checked and the hole in the center of the flourescent fixture is a perfectly round 2" hole. The reason that I want to put a box above the fixture is that i plan on drywalling the ceiling and if i ever move or change the lights to something else I'd prefer to have a ceiling box to have as a junction box.

If I open the 2" hole and just center the light over it, what prevents the wires from chaffing on the lip of the 2" hole.

 

[RangerSVT]

Nothing, you will need to install a wire grommet to prevent chafing
SVT

 

[High Desert Ranger]

Nothing, you will need to install a wire grommet to prevent chafing
SVT

Is it gonna be a Lowe's type of item?