[2manyT/A'S]

Thinking about hanging up some flourescent fixtures in a 10 x 20 metal carport....one of those kits with the tin roof.

Was going to hang them on fixture chain....

Anything special that I need to know or do so I won't electrocute myself?

[6t7gto]

Turn the circuit breaker off.
Black to black
White to white.
Green to ground.

[tooski]

Enclosed carport, or just one with a roof attached to a house? Shop lites come either with a plug in cord or direct wired. The plug in models usually come with chains for hanging, while the others do not. I would not hang a direct wired fixture as they are meant to be attached to structure. If it is open, I would use the plug in models, plugged into an outdoor GFCI recepacle(s). I am not an electrician but do my own wiring (couple of houses, garages, renos).

[TheSilverBuick]

The above, and don't lick the black wire.

[Probird]

Originally Posted by 6t7gto

Turn the circuit breaker off.
Black to black
White to white.
Green to ground.

This^^^^. No problem with hanging any fixture with chain and S-hooks. We do it all the time. The bad thing about hanging a fixture in a carport is birds will perch on it and crap on the car.

[Deadhead]

If cord and plug - take apart and hardwire. Get rid of that stupid short plug. Just hardwire in a daisy chain if multiple fixtures back to the switch. I have used many of these when they were 7-8$ and just removed the cord and plug. I also do not like the chains. The bird deal is a good point. Mount direct on surface is better. No banging into them etc, either. 2X4 or similar blocks to mount to building if that makes it easier. Would also make sure that the building is grounded. If not, put a rod in and bond Bldg. to it. Lightening is much more dangerous than 110. And, I would GFI anything you can plug into.

[INJUNBOY]

If possible you would get a better 8' strip light at an electrical supply. When I used to wire Car Washes we always used High Output (HO) 8 ' strips because when the weather gets cold the HO fixtures still perform well and give you more light than the lumberyard Do It Yourself centers sell. Use 3 wire (2 wire with ground) cord designated for outdoor use if you can or 1/2" sealtite flexible conduit or 1/2" EMT conduit between receptacle boxes or fixtures and get good cord caps from an electrical supply. If you plug every two lights into a single 110 V Receptacle, then if a ballast goes out you can unplug the bad light and use the others until you get time to change the bad ballast. You will spend a little more money,but the ballasts usually last a lot longer and much brighter light. I use 1/4-20 inch eye bolts and fender washers/1/4-20 inch nuts for fixtures if hanging off of cowchain or jack chain.