“I have a par 64 at my youth group and the wiring other side is completely burned through, melted, ,dead. like, the wire itself i think was burned through, or oxidized to the point of breaking. To fix it, what do i need to do? I was thinking just replace the wire, but now that you point out all these rules...1) where can I get the wire 2) do i need to replace the entire ceramic lug, which would have the leads on it? 3) is it worth it ?” - JahJahwarrior
First, given the info on “What is wrong with this picture” page 6, the NEC code applications, the use of a PAR fixture for a church related youth group would fit within the more broad classification of assembly hall necessity for compliance over that of that legit theater necessities for the wiring of it. Given this, it’s never bad to comply with the highest standards for what’s the proper way to do something.
There is but one main question given this “burnt up wiring” that needs to be answered before it can be described how to re-wire such a thing. This question revolves around the lamp base/porcelain socket itself. Is the Porcelain itself in good shape, or is it also in need of replacement?
A good test for any PAR 46 thru PAR 64 fixture is if the lamp socket will support the weight of the bulb when suspended by it. If the lamp can’t be picked up and held by the lamp socket, the tension within the lamp holder as the NEC calls it is insufficient to conduct the current to the lamp. Much less, it’s easy for the socket to fall off the fixture’s lamp base.
Pick the lamp up with the socket and look at it for frayed wires, melted wires, arched contacts, broken porcelain etc. in deeming if the the lamp base is in good condition. Once this is determined, write back and there is two or more ways to go with the solution.
First, given the info on “What is wrong with this picture” page 6, the NEC code applications, the use of a PAR fixture for a church related youth group would fit within the more broad classification of assembly hall necessity for compliance over that of that legit theater necessities for the wiring of it. Given this, it’s never bad to comply with the highest standards for what’s the proper way to do something.
There is but one main question given this “burnt up wiring” that needs to be answered before it can be described how to re-wire such a thing. This question revolves around the lamp base/porcelain socket itself. Is the Porcelain itself in good shape, or is it also in need of replacement?
A good test for any PAR 46 thru PAR 64 fixture is if the lamp socket will support the weight of the bulb when suspended by it. If the lamp can’t be picked up and held by the lamp socket, the tension within the lamp holder as the NEC calls it is insufficient to conduct the current to the lamp. Much less, it’s easy for the socket to fall off the fixture’s lamp base.
Pick the lamp up with the socket and look at it for frayed wires, melted wires, arched contacts, broken porcelain etc. in deeming if the the lamp base is in good condition. Once this is determined, write back and there is two or more ways to go with the solution.