question for electrical gurus on undercounter lighting
 

I'm installing some GE LED undercounter lights. The lights and wires have tags that read, "not for current interruption"

I have a switched outlet that the old undercounter lights were plugged into so I can turn them on and off with a wall switch. What's the concern with having the power switched off at the wall?

Not for current interruption means that it should not be disconnected under load. For example by directly unplugging or by an in-line switch.

Typically there is something between the "not for current interruption" load and the power source which ensures graceful power down.

So what could go wrong if I use a wall switch?

You could miswire it and burn your house down

Using the setup the way you described is a correct way to switch them.

If that's the case then I would suggest a different light setup. My home came with flourescent light fixtures under the cabinets. They were hard wired to a wall switch. I ditched the lights and ran the live wire up between the cabinet bases (3/8" gap) and installed a junction box. From there I ran multiple halogen puck lights above, inside, and under my kitchen cabinets. Looks great and the light bulbs last ~ 12 months a pop.

So running the feed into the switch and then joining the switch to the lights inside a junction box provides a safety link? How so?

A switch is designed to make and break electrical contact, those plug in connectors are not.

So a wall switch shouldn't cause shorter LED life or anything like that?

David,
The switch will not cause a shorter life of your LED lights. Just refrain from "unplugging" them while powered on.

I'm curious which ones you are using?

I'd like to put in LEDs but they are spendy.

They're about $65 each from Home Depot. Even with just 4 LEDs each, they're about as bright as fluorescents.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1260481897.jpg

Nice.

IKEA has really cheap options for under-the-counter lights. But not LED.

I wasn't going for energy savings when I tried these, but it is nice that they're only 5 watts.

Been waiting for the prices on these to come down some. Might have to just go ahead and buy. I have 12 halogen puck lights now and I hate them! They are very hot. They bottom shelf of the cabinets gets very hot.

Let us know how they look when you finish. How warm is the light?