Bathroom Lights and NEC Requirements

[pcsailor]

Hi,
Where does it say in the NEC 2017 whether bathroom lights are required or not to be on AFCI branch circuits?
Thanks,
Phil

 

[pcsailor]

Is this a tough one??
I don't specifically see code referring to bathroom lights in 210.12 nor 210.8, and I've searched the internet for this too without any clear answer, surprisingly.
Are branch circuits supplying solely bathroom lights not required to be AFCI, nor GFCI if no lights are within the bathtub/shower area?
Thanks,
Phil

 

[Dennis Alwon]

The bathroom is not required to have afci on lights or and electrical equipment in there.

The reason you don't see bathroom in the section is because it is not required.

 

[JoeyD74]

If the switches are all inside the bathroom, no AFCI required.

 

[pcsailor]

Thanks.
Doesn't it seem odd that most of the branch circuits in a dwelling need to be AFCI, but not bathroom lights?
Phil

 

[readydave8]

AFCI required locations are gradually increasing with each code cycle, just like GFCI requirements did. They just haven't got to bathrooms yet.

 

[pcsailor]

Ah, that explains it. Thanks <:

 

[tom baker]

If the light is in the shower (recessed can with shower trim) the mfg may require GFCI. Otherwise no GFCI requirement, heard that the 2020 NEC will require bathrooms to be AFCI and all outlets in dwelling to be GFCI (what I have heard and haven't read in the final 2020 NEC)

 

[pcsailor]

I'll be surprised if this is not in 2020.

 

[kwired]

I'll be surprised if this is not in 2020.

I think many were surprised bathrooms didn't get included in 2017.