LIT Sign & Lighting

💡 Smart Solutions Save Money! 💡

​We recently worked with a property owner who needed to separate the electrical billing for a newly created lower-floor rental unit.

​❌ The expensive route: Building out an entirely new PECO service drop.

✅ Our solution: A targeted sub-panel and mini-meter setup.
​We isolated the lower floor’s circuits into a brand-new sub-panel. We are adding a pass-through meter on the feeders to accurately measure the specific kWh usage for the new unit.

​This straightforward approach saved our client thousands of dollars. When you need electrical work done right by a knowledgeable team—without the upsells or cut corners—give us a call!

Sorry for not keeping up to date but we have been pushing along on our projects for you all. From New bathroom electric to commercial kitchens and auto body shops...we have been busy building a network of happy customers. Take a look at just a small piece of what we have been up to since our last post.

For the best in Signs, Electrical and Parking Lighting, there is no other choice. Because at L.i.T "Every Connection Matters!"

What’s Hiding Above Your Ceiling Tiles? (And Why "Romex" Violates the Code) 🏢🚫

If you pop a tile in almost any commercial building, you’ll see a maze of wires and ductwork. But if you see standard residential plastic wire (orange or white "Romex"/NM cable) running loose across the grid, you likely have a code violation on your hands.

In commercial properties—specifically in drop ceilings—we use Metal Clad (MC) Cable. It’s not just about "being fancy"; it is a strict requirement of the National Electrical Code (NEC).

🔥 1. The "Romex" Ban (NEC 334.12)
The code is very specific about where residential plastic wire is strictly forbidden.

• The Rule: NEC 334.12(A)(2) states that Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable (NM/Romex) shall not be used "exposed within a dropped or suspended ceiling cavity in other than one- and two-family and multifamily dwellings."
• Translation: Even if the ceiling isn't used for air circulation, simply being a suspended ceiling in a commercial building makes Romex illegal to use.

💨 2. The "Chimney" Effect (NEC 300.22)
The space above your drop ceiling is often used to circulate air for your HVAC system (a "plenum").

• The Risk: If a fire starts, standard plastic wire jackets melt and release toxic smoke. Since that space moves air, it pumps those fumes directly into the rest of the building.
• The Solution: NEC 300.22(C) requires that wiring in these spaces be strictly plenum-rated or metal-enclosed (like MC Cable) to prevent the spread of smoke and fire.

🛡️ 3. Armor Against Damage (NEC 300.4)
Commercial ceilings are busy places accessed by HVAC techs, IT guys, and plumbers.

• The Rule: NEC 300.4 requires conductors to be protected where they are subject to physical damage.
• The Solution: The interlocked metal armor of MC cable provides the physical shield necessary to meet this standard in accessible areas like drop ceilings.

The Bottom Line:
Using residential wire in a commercial drop ceiling is a direct violation of the NEC 334.12. If you are renovating your office or notice “plastic” wires draped over your ceiling grid, let’s get it checked out.

L.I.T Signs & Lighting | Electrical
📞 267-798-6908
💻 www.signsinbucks.com