Need a closet light for a 36" wide closet.

BlueFox

BlueFox

Member
Does anyone know where I could get a closet light, (besides the closet rod type) that is identified for use in the closet space?
From what I read the 2023 NEC doesn't leave any other choice for a small closet.
D2023 NEC 410.16 (D) Closet Lighting .png
 
The storage zone only goes to 6' high or the height of the rod, whichever is higher, so if you can get the surface of the light 12" above that you are compliant. If you have a 7.5' ceiling, you should be able to fit just about any LED fixture in the ceiling. Recessed cuts the clearance requirement in half to 6" if things are tight. Flat LED strip lights intended for under the cabinet work nicely above the door on the header. I wish part (2) also had the word LED instead of only fluorescent.
 
suemarkp said:
The storage zone only goes to 6' high or the height of the rod, whichever is higher, so if you can get the surface of the light 12" above that you are compliant. If you have a 7.5' ceiling, you should be able to fit just about any LED fixture in the ceiling. Recessed cuts the clearance requirement in half to 6" if things are tight. Flat LED strip lights intended for under the cabinet work nicely above the door on the header. I wish part (2) also had the word LED instead of only fluorescent.
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410.16(A) says: The volume extends vertically to the closet ceiling parallel to the walls at a horizontal distance of 300mm (12 in.) or the width of the shelf, whichever is greater.
I have heard some AHJ are saying that even though their is not a shelf installed the space is still considered "clothes closet storage space"
which does not make any sense on a three foot wide closet.

2023 NEC 410.16 (A) Clothes Closet Storage Space.png
 
I see your issue, I failed to notice that the side area goes to the ceiling. With a 3' closet, you need a light of 0 width to make a 6" clearance to the storage space area in the center area. The only out I can think of would be getting the closet to not be considered a clothes closet. If it has a closet rod, that won't happen... If it is a pantry or utility room closet, maybe.
 
You could even install one in the wall above the door.

Choose the middle of color-selectable lights for longest life.
 
LarryFine said:
You could even install one in the wall above the door.
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Only if it meets the exception in the NEC section quoted in the OP. Otherwise, with a 36" wide closet, any location of non-zero size within the room is within 6" of the storage space shown in post #5, and so can not comply with any of (D)(1) through (4) in the OP.

This website says "Products adorned with the Closet-Rated Certification have undergone a rigorous evaluation process to ensure they meet UL's stringent standards, namely UL 2108, 67.1.9, and 60.4." Sounds like those would meet the exception in the OP.


Cheers, Wayne
 
Fred B said:
Here is one site (not the only one) that has multiple fixtures identified for use in cloth closets.
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That website search is not limited to the correct specification for the situation in the OP. The very first item's spec sheet just says "Suitable for use in clothes closets when installed in accordance with the NEC 410.16 spacing requirements." For the exception, sounds like the necessary specification is "Closet-Rated Certified" or some language saying listed for use within the storage space.

Cheers, Wayne
 
wwhitney said:
That website search is not limited to the correct specification for the situation in the OP. The very first item's spec sheet just says "Suitable for use in clothes closets when installed in accordance with the NEC 410.16 spacing requirements." For the exception, sounds like the necessary specification is "Closet-Rated Certified" or some language saying listed for use within the storage space.

Cheers, Wayne
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The light in the link below may satisfy 410.16 (B) (3)


It says: Suitable for use within closet storage spaces when installed per NEC requirements.
 
Something with the light source outside the storage area and a light tube like they use for some skylights or a fiber optic method of conveying light to the closet?
 
wwhitney said:
This website says "Products adorned with the Closet-Rated Certification have undergone a rigorous evaluation process to ensure they meet UL's stringent standards, namely UL 2108, 67.1.9, and 60.4." Sounds like those would meet the exception in the OP.
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OK, I checked the UL standards. UL 2108 is "Low Voltage Lighting Systems" and UL 1598 is "Luminaires" which covers normal line voltage luminaires. Both standards have a requirement for "suitable for installation in the storage areas of clothes closets," and if the luminaire passes the test, it may be so labeled. The requirement is that the entire exposed surface of the luminaire is covered with glass fiber batt insulation rated between R8 and R11, in contact with the luminaire but not compressed, and then the normal temperature tests are done. The luminaire has to meet all the usual temperature thresholds with that insulation in place.

So what you need is a luminaire labeled as above, a sign that the proper testing has been done.

BTW, for UL 1598 the labeling information is given in Table 20.1.1 Item 2.28, while the testing requirement is detailed in 13.6.3.1. For UL 2108, the quote above gives the correct section numbers, 67.1.9 is the labeling information, and 60.4 is the testing requirement.

Cheers, Wayne
 
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