Where does the ground wire go?

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

The ground wire goes on the electrical box that you are attaching the light fixture to. I have an electrical license.

Then you would already know that plastic boxes are dominating the market for one, If we really want to get super technical here, the fixtures inside a reptile cage should all be outdoor rated.

[Toothless]

Originally Posted by LarryS

If a connection were to fail it would generate heat. If the keyless light base is screwed directly to a wood cage ceiling for instance, it could catch fire.

The junction box protects and isolates the electrical connection.

I know a lot of people do screw these light fixtures to the cage ceiling but it is a very unsafe practice.

Thank you for going into more detail. That does make sense . So do all three lights go to the same junction box, or each to their own?
I want to do this properly so will have to do a bunch more reading.
As for screwing them into a wooden board, is this ok as long as the wires go to a junction box? If not, then why is it ok to screw one into the wall, but not a wooden board?

[Toothless]

As for the ground wire, there is no where to attach it onto the fixture itself that I can see. I understand one goes to the junction box, but where would the other end go?

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by Toothless

Thank you for going into more detail. That does make sense . So do all three lights go to the same junction box, or each to their own?
I want to do this properly so will have to do a bunch more reading.
As for screwing them into a wooden board, is this ok as long as the wires go to a junction box? If not, then why is it ok to screw one into the wall, but not a wooden board?

Here is what they mean by junction box.

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by Toothless

As for the ground wire, there is no where to attach it onto the fixture itself that I can see. I understand one goes to the junction box, but where would the other end go?

Connect the the prong labeled "G"

[SSSSnakes]

The ground wire is to prevent you or you animal from being electrocuted. If you touch a electrical wire that is hot, you get zapped. If you touch a neutral wire that has been broken, and the electrical current has went threw a load, (like a light), it can electrocute you. The ground wire is a second neutral wire to prevent you from being electrocuted. infernalis is correct in saying that technically, you should be using outdoor fixtures and connection with a ground fault outlet.

The ground wire is a very important safety feature that most people over look.

[infernalis]

Jerry - you seem well educated.

so why are you not advocating GFI circuits?

My cage is wired to a double GFI, The circuit breaker in my distribution panel was replaced with the red GFI model, and I installed a GFI outlet behind the cage.

If you are going to insist on doing it right, why stop half way?

EDIT: my bad... I just saw your post:you should be using outdoor fixtures and connection with a ground fault outlet

[Toothless]

Originally Posted by infernalis

Jerry - you seem well educated.

so why are you not advocating GFI circuits?

My cage is wired to a double GFI, The circuit breaker in my distribution panel was replaced with the red GFI model, and I installed a GFI outlet behind the cage.

If you are going to insist on doing it right, why stop half way?

EDIT: my bad... I just saw your post:you should be using outdoor fixtures and connection with a ground fault outlet

So should I take back the fixtures I currently have and get something else? The guy at the store said they would be ok, but if not I'll return them and get the proper fixtures. Have to go back anyways to get the junction boxes and wire nuts.

So just to clarify- One end of the ground wire goes inside the junction box at the green screw, and the other goes to the prong on the plug correct?

That photo was very helpful . Now I understand what was meant.

[SSSSnakes]

Originally Posted by Toothless

So just to clarify- One end of the ground wire goes inside the junction box at the green screw, and the other goes to the prong on the plug correct?

That is correct.

[LarryS]

I would have thought that you would NOT want a cage heater on a Residual current device. They have been known to trip for various non life threatening reasons at times.

If your animals health and possible life depends on the heat, wouldn't it be better off on a dedicated circuit?

I would think continuity and reliability would be more important for the animal. A normal snake enclosure would present an unlikely possibility of electrocution unless it is located in an area that is wet or it is required by code in this location.

I'm not disagreeing, just genuinely curious on this. I so agree that you should always go with the plan of highest safety, but in this case it seems like it could actually be a detriment to the animal??

[SSSSnakes]

Originally Posted by LarryS

I would have thought that you would NOT want a cage heater on a Residual current device. They have been known to trip for various non life threatening reasons at times.

If your animals health and possible life depends on the heat, wouldn't it be better off on a dedicated circuit?

I would think continuity and reliability would be more important for the animal. A normal snake enclosure would present an unlikely possibility of electrocution unless it is located in an area that is wet or it is required by code in this location.

I'm not disagreeing, just genuinely curious on this. I so agree that you should always go with the plan of highest safety, but in this case it seems like it could actually be a detriment to the animal??

If you are monitoring your snakes enclosure daily and something happened to trip the heat off, it should not be off long enough for your snake to be effected. Human safety over snake comfort should come first. Also most times it would be a major job to run a dedicated circuit for the enclosure. The wires probably would have to be fished threw the walls. If it was a dedicated circuit you would not notice if it tripped the breaker as fast as if it were a house circuit, because on a house circuit you would notice other things that were off. Also if you are tripping breakers a lot, you need to find out why, I have not tripped a breaker for years in my house.

[LarryS]

Thanks SSSSnakes.

Sounds reasonable to me.

Here in So Florida, loss of a heater wouldn't be much of a concern, I was thinking for some of you northern guys it could be the end if it happened while you were away at work or some such scenario.

We see these devices trip in customer homes on a fairly regular basis, I assume power surge/nearby lighting strikes.

Thanks again

[Toothless]

I just picked up the metal boxes and some plugs. I'll take some photos after I wire in the lights just to make sure everything looks ok . Hopefully I'll get that done by tonight.

[Toothless]

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

The ground wire is to prevent you or you animal from being electrocuted. If you touch a electrical wire that is hot, you get zapped. If you touch a neutral wire that has been broken, and the electrical current has went threw a load, (like a light), it can electrocute you. The ground wire is a second neutral wire to prevent you from being electrocuted. infernalis is correct in saying that technically, you should be using outdoor fixtures and connection with a ground fault outlet.

The ground wire is a very important safety feature that most people over look.

Thank you for the information .

[Toothless]

I just finished wiring one fixture and box, but noticed the opening where the wire comes out of the box is quite sharp. What do I put there to protect the wire from damage? Right now I just wrapped some electrical tape around it to protect it in the meantime.