Wall mount Lights; any kind of electrical box needed?

Question

I did all the electrical myself on a home renovation project. But when inspecting, the guy told me i had to get a light box for my wall mounted lights. What does this mean? I have the wire that goes to my light and another that branches off that one for the other light. Do i just need like a outlet box to contain the wires or do i need a outlet box that you can mount a light to it???

Thanks

Answer 1

all electrical splices must must MUST  be in a fire rated electrical box or they will start a fire. All the heat from the circuit and the bulb is going to be there it can get hot enough to ignite the paper backing of sheet rock or the stud.  The heat generated in the wire while it is being uses will escape at the point in the circuit where there is the least insulation i e the place you striped the wires

You say you did your own wiring this idea(splices are the hottest spot in a circuit) is in the top 5 for causes of electrical fires... I fear if you  messed this up you probably messed of other stuff the inspected didn't notices or code he/she is unaware of.

Answer 2

That is two different boxes there. An outlet or device box is usually square and a light box is usually round. But really a electrical box is an electrical box. Yes you do need a box. There are different types for different scenarios. 8B box, cut in box, pan box, and more. Is the wall mount on Sheetrock in the house or on the side of the garage?

Answer 3

he's probably refering to a recessed box so the wires can legally be contained at thier connections and so the wires can be connected and then pushed back into the box as the light is pushed tight to the wall