shower cans

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infinity

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New Jersey
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I think someone saw that a fan light needs GFCI protection over a shower, at least all the ones I have done require it, and they assumed all equipment over a shower needs it.

Yes, for fans or fan/lt combo's but I've yet to see a recessed shower light that requires GFCI protection.
 

Dennis Alwon

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Chapel Hill, NC
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Yes, for fans or fan/lt combo's but I've yet to see a recessed shower light that requires GFCI protection.
I agree , I have never seen one either. I was just thinking that's how the inspector may have come about thinking lights needed GFCI protection.

I don't see where it was the poster job to prove to the inspector that his lights was not suitable for shower use without GFCI. If he/she turns you down then they need to show you where it is non compliant.
 

infinity

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I don't see where it was the poster job to prove to the inspector that his lights was not suitable for shower use without GFCI. If he/she turns you down then they need to show you where it is non compliant.

Yup, I agree 100%. The inspector should be responsible for researching his own mistake.
 

stars13bars2

Senior Member
I knew that it wasn't a violation, but I couldn't get the inspector to give me the article. Later I called the chief inspector and he told me it was under wet location. Well sir " when you find it later this afternoon, give me a call and let me know what section you are referring to." Then a couple of days later the inspector called me and wanted the spec info just to save face.
 

quogueelectric

Senior Member
Location
new york
What are you guys preventing by gfci protecting a shower light? :confused:
Possible electrocution which is what the device is intended to do. I just take it off the load side of the gfci outlet and I charge for the switch and the can /shower trim. 20 ft of 12-2 instead of 14-2 is a small price to pay. If the shower light nuisance trips oh well. You are very vulnerable to electrocution in a shower. What if some nitwit uses 3"deck screws to install a grabbar or shower door and hits an energized conductor in a wall?? I ask this because it happened to me. Almost killed customer.
 

Chamuit

Grumpy Old Man
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Texas
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Electrician
Possible electrocution which is what the device is intended to do. I just take it off the load side of the gfci outlet and I charge for the switch and the can /shower trim. 20 ft of 12-2 instead of 14-2 is a small price to pay. If the shower light nuisance trips oh well. You are very vulnerable to electrocution in a shower. What if some nitwit uses 3"deck screws to install a grabbar or shower door and hits an energized conductor in a wall?? I ask this because it happened to me. Almost killed customer.

You can't protect against everything. The nitwit probably didn't follow the installation instructions.

3" screw in a 2x4 wall plus ? sheetrock. Your screwed! :D
 

George Stolz

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Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
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What are you guys preventing by gfci protecting a shower light? :confused:

Possible electrocution which is what the device is intended to do.
Captain Obvious to the rescue! :D

I just take it off the load side of the gfci outlet and I charge for the switch and the can /shower trim. 20 ft of 12-2 instead of 14-2 is a small price to pay.
As Larry pointed out, you have to work to make that legal, and I would say it's still a crummy design. The blow dryer has a problem and you've knocked out the lights to the bathroom without cause.

If the shower light nuisance trips oh well.
That would be a great warranty conversation.

Customer: What the heck!?! Whenever I turn on my shower lights I hear the receptacle trip!!! What kind of hack electrician are you?!?

Contractor: Oh, well.

:D

You are very vulnerable to electrocution in a shower. What if some nitwit uses 3"deck screws to install a grabbar or shower door and hits an energized conductor in a wall?? I ask this because it happened to me. Almost killed customer.
What makes you think they'll hit the cable going to the shower can? 95% of the time that cable goes to the ceiling out of the switch, and never sees a wall ever again. You'd be better served to GFCI the surrounding rooms to avoid that eventuality, or accept the fact that we can't control everything. ;)

Edit to add: I would be more concerned about a shock hazard from continuous copper piping than a shower can. They are actually supposed to fiddle with the plumbing while showering. Fiddling with the can is just stupid.
 

electricmanscott

Senior Member
Location
Boston, MA
I'm not going to be worrying about this. :)

If somebody wants to gfi a shower light and it makes them feel better go right ahead. There's really no downside to doing it.
 
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