Mounting a par inside a drop ceiling

We have a small venue with a low ceiling. I would like to mount DMX dimmable 120v RGB recessed fixtures into the drop ceiling. This was my preferred method. I have since learned this type of fixture is very hard to come by and there must not be much of a market for it. They do not have to be RGB but it would be nice. If you know of such a solution please let me know!

So, is there a good way to mount LED par fixtures into a drop ceiling pointing down, as a normal recessed fixture would, to light the room? I found some mounts made by City Theatrical for mounting S4 pars in a ceiling but they leave a large gap between the fixture and ceiling and I want something more aesthetically pleasing. I can buy white fixtures and mount them so they are flush with the ceiling with a bezel over the whole but I need a good way to mount them.
 
They do make drop in LED RGB fixtures for drop tile ceilings, but they are more attune to the architectural market, in that they produce a soft diffused light, which may or may not work for your productions. I know Enttec makes one, and a quick google found a few more manufacturers. The Enttec one is here: http://www.enttec.com/aleph/?main_menu=Products&pn=a3-lpn

If I was installing led pars above the drop tile, I would just drop them down on threaded rod from the actual ceiling/beams/etc. For aesthetics you could possibly design a custom tile with a circle cut in it. If a flush ceiling without any holes is desirable, I would cover the tile with a Light Shaping Filter Film, which would also help blend the colors from some of the cheaper led pars.
 
Thanks guys!

I like the Altman and Enttec fixtures I am getting prices on those. I also found some by Coloronix that are RGBW recessed cans. It doesn't have to be a PAR unit because it will be used for ambient lighting. We already have stage lighting in that room so adding DMX controlled house lighting just makes since. Its a children's area in the church so I think they will get some good use from a RGB unit.

I also like the idea of using stage LED PAR cans as it would be the cheapest option. However it would be against code because no plug connection can be inside the drop ceiling.
 
Hasn't been said yet but I thought I'd make sure: Make sure it's not a plenum ceiling.
 
Stage lights can be hardwired rather than 'connectorized.' Gets around that no-plug thing. Also you can leave tiles entirely off and declare it's a decorative element not a ceiling. Note that changes a few other aspects of what can be done above the tiles. (Consult your AHJ before hand!)
 
I'm sorry and with all due respect, fixtures (UL) listed as stage and studio cannot be hard wired by the electrical code. For one point, a fixture listed for hard wired use would never be allowed to get as hot as a quartz ers.
 
Bill, I'm always happy to learn. I've certainly seen it done. I can't recall ever specifying it myself and never had anyone raise concerns when it was a possibility. I would appreciate it if you point me to your specific concerns?

I don't see anything in NEC 410 requiring a specific listing. Even the implied "for the use" leaves me in a gray area as we are discussing a theater. I'm not as familiar with UL standards as the NEC and haven't read UL 1573 in quite some time. Are you perhaps looking for a 1598 luminaire listing? .

Are you referring to 410.62? Part C.1.1.2.c supports what you say, but not on temperature issues.
 
It's been a while and time for @STEVETERRY , but IIRC the standard for stage and studio luminairs is quite specific that they are tested for cord and plug connection, not hard wiring. I don't believe it's any different than cutting the plug of a listed extension core or plug strip and hardwiring that.

That you've seen it done does not surprise me, maybe even by a professional electrician. That does not make it legal.

I'll try to cite chapter and verse but it will be a while before I can dig up the standard for stage and studio luminairs.

And I didn't mean the point about temperature was in the NEC, only that the standard for testing a stage and studio light for temperature is different than for hardwired. That was confusing and I apologize.
 
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No confusion, just looking for specifics. Advice is great, but hard knowledge is required at our end, especially when telling electricians they are wrong. Many professions only want to listen to someone like themselves as I'm sure you've seen as well.

No doubt the 1573 and 1598 standards have major differences. I was expecting more "what listing is suitable" discussion, especially over a ceiling. Speaking of ETC, I note the D22 is general lighting listed and the D40 is stage listed.
 
Don't know if it helps but many of the Hub catalogues I put on the website in link go into detail about this concept.
 
I'm sorry and with all due respect, fixtures (UL) listed as stage and studio cannot be hard wired by the electrical code. For one point, a fixture listed for hard wired use would never be allowed to get as hot as a quartz ers.

Bill is 100% correct.

Here are some of the the relevant requirements from sections 1 and 26 of UL 1573 Stage and Studio Luminaires and Connector Strips(copyright Underwriters Laboratories):

1 Scope
1.1 These requirements cover stage and studio luminaires rated 600 volts or less for use in theaters,
studios, and similar locations in accordance with Articles 520 and 530 of the National Electrical Code,
NFPA 70.

1.2 These requirements cover borderlights, spotlights, floodlights, footlights, professional photographic
lights, portable strip lights, and the like, that use incandescent, fluorescent, high-intensity discharge,
xenon, and other high-pressure electric discharge lamps, as well as connector strips, drop boxes, and the
like, when rigged similarly to borderlights. These requirements do not cover stage and studio luminaires
using carbon arc lamps.

1.3 These requirements do not cover miscellaneous special purpose lights, amateur movie lights, or
lighting intended for residential use.

26 Power Supply Connections

26.3 A portable stage luminaire shall be provided with a length of flexible cord or cable or special
conductor assembly that complies with (a) – (e). A portable connector strip shall be provided with a length
of flexible cord or cable that complies with (a) and (c) – (e).

a) A flexible cord shall have a serviceability rating at least equal to extra-hard-usage types such
as Type G, S, SE, SEO, SO, ST, STO, or W.

Exception No. 1: Still photography lights are not prohibited from being provided with a flexible cord
having a serviceability rating at least equal to hard-usage types such as Type SJ, SJO, SJT, or
equivalent power supply cords.

Exception No. 2: Portable stage luminaires are not prohibited from being provided with a flexible
cord having a serviceability rating at least equal to hard-usage types such as Type SJ, SJO, SJT,
or equivalent power supply cords providing that the supply cord is not greater than 1 m (3.3 feet)
in length and is rated at not more than 20A.

b) A special assembly of conductors used in lieu of the flexible cord or cable of portable stage
luminaires shall consist of stranded conductors rated minimum 125°C (257°F) and an outer
glass fiber sleeve with a wall thickness of at least 0.64 mm (0.025 inch). The conductors and
sleeving shall be maximum 1 m (3.3 feet) in length.

Exception: The special assembly of conductors are not required to include an outer glass fiber
sleeve when the conductors are part of an appliance wiring material that includes an overall jacket
or outer sleeving and the appliance wiring material is equivalent to the special assembly of
conductors described above with regard to resistance to abrasion and conductor insulation
damage. For example, appliance wiring material Style 4418 has been determined to be equivalent
to the special assembly of conductors.

c) The flexible cord, cable, or special conductor assembly shall be sized to have an ampacity
that corresponds to the electrical rating of the equipment but shall not be smaller than 0.82
mm2(18 AWG) flexible cord, cable, or conductor, as applicable.

d) The flexible cord, cable, or special assembly of conductors shall be terminated by an
attachment plug that is of the grounding type.


ST
 
No confusion, just looking for specifics. Advice is great, but hard knowledge is required at our end, especially when telling electricians they are wrong. Many professions only want to listen to someone like themselves as I'm sure you've seen as well.

No doubt the 1573 and 1598 standards have major differences. I was expecting more "what listing is suitable" discussion, especially over a ceiling. Speaking of ETC, I note the D22 is general lighting listed and the D40 is stage listed.

You are correct that UL1573 and UL1598 have major differences. ETC's D22 is listed to UL1598 to allow it to be used in track lighting applications.

Finally, not all UL1598 luminaires are suitable for applications "above a ceiling", otherwise known as ""recessed" in standard-speak. The listing would have to carry a Recessed Rating and be labeled as such.

ST
 

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