wayne123
Senior Member
- Location
- North Carolina
Do recessed can lights in a shower stall have to be GFI protected?
Cans in the shower
- Thread starter wayne123
- Start date
- Status
Re: Cans in the shower
No, however you can protect the entire 20A bathroom circuit with a GFCI breaker. Remember a receptacle is not required in the bathroom, other than dwelling applications. If you install a receptacle in other than dwelling applications, than it must be GFCI protected.
sandsnow
Senior Member
- Location
- Southern California
Re: Cans in the shower
We have two different conditions here. What does the code require and what is the smart thing to do for safety.
The code does not require the luminaire to be GFCI protected, but installation instructions from some manufacturers do tell the installer to put it on a GFCI, therefore since it is in the instructions it is required by the code. Our interpretation has been that this a damp location and as such a housing and trim for marked suitable for damp is ok. Your AHJ may vary.
If I was putting this in my house it would be on GFCI. I would make sure it is as corrosion resistant as I could find and the best gasket behind the trim and the ceiling to keep moisture out of the luminaire and the ceiling cavity.
We have two different conditions here. What does the code require and what is the smart thing to do for safety.
The code does not require the luminaire to be GFCI protected, but installation instructions from some manufacturers do tell the installer to put it on a GFCI, therefore since it is in the instructions it is required by the code. Our interpretation has been that this a damp location and as such a housing and trim for marked suitable for damp is ok. Your AHJ may vary.
If I was putting this in my house it would be on GFCI. I would make sure it is as corrosion resistant as I could find and the best gasket behind the trim and the ceiling to keep moisture out of the luminaire and the ceiling cavity.
A
a.wayne3@verizon.net
Guest
Re: Cans in the shower
We do work for a builder thst supplies there on light packs and in the shower area they have exposed but rated bulbs.UL listed for exposure to direct water contact,The inspectors flipped but had to go along since ul listed.
We do work for a builder thst supplies there on light packs and in the shower area they have exposed but rated bulbs.UL listed for exposure to direct water contact,The inspectors flipped but had to go along since ul listed.
luke warmwater
Senior Member
Re: Cans in the shower
Allen, are they Progress?
Progress makes (2) types of shower trims.
1 is a plastic lens that uses a stndard A-19.
The other is a step baffle that has a gasket at the top and uses a outdoor Par38.
todd
Allen, are they Progress?
Progress makes (2) types of shower trims.
1 is a plastic lens that uses a stndard A-19.
The other is a step baffle that has a gasket at the top and uses a outdoor Par38.
todd
A
a.wayne3@verizon.net
Guest
Re: Cans in the shower
yes they are progress step baffled trims and a special type of par lamp.When we first started using them the inspectors flipped,but they are ul listed for this installation so they stayed.
yes they are progress step baffled trims and a special type of par lamp.When we first started using them the inspectors flipped,but they are ul listed for this installation so they stayed.
wayne123
Senior Member
- Location
- North Carolina
Re: Cans in the shower
I've never had to put a shower light on a gfi and I hadn't planned on doing it on this one but I ran a seperate lighting circuit into the bathroom and picked up a few recept in a loft area on that circuit so I'll just put a gfi breaker on it and be done with it. No sense in arguing with him about it. It's a T&M job anyway so there is no budget number for me to look out for.
I've never had to put a shower light on a gfi and I hadn't planned on doing it on this one but I ran a seperate lighting circuit into the bathroom and picked up a few recept in a loft area on that circuit so I'll just put a gfi breaker on it and be done with it. No sense in arguing with him about it. It's a T&M job anyway so there is no budget number for me to look out for.
wayne123
Senior Member
- Location
- North Carolina
Re: Cans in the shower
I've never had to put a shower light on a gfi and I hadn't planned on doing it on this one but I ran a seperate lighting circuit into the bathroom and picked up a few recept in a loft area on that circuit so I'll just put a gfi breaker on it and be done with it. No sense in arguing with him about it. It's a T&M job anyway so there is no budget number for me to look out for.
I've never had to put a shower light on a gfi and I hadn't planned on doing it on this one but I ran a seperate lighting circuit into the bathroom and picked up a few recept in a loft area on that circuit so I'll just put a gfi breaker on it and be done with it. No sense in arguing with him about it. It's a T&M job anyway so there is no budget number for me to look out for.
A
a.wayne3@verizon.net
Guest
Re: Cans in the shower
haven`t bother to take my cd out but if it the light is within 8 ft. of the waters edge vertical.So the drain takes that measurment.Am I right ????????
haven`t bother to take my cd out but if it the light is within 8 ft. of the waters edge vertical.So the drain takes that measurment.Am I right ????????
A
a.wayne3@verizon.net
Guest
Re: Cans in the shower
Sorry thats the over flow not the tub drain.
Sorry thats the over flow not the tub drain.
electricmanscott
Senior Member
- Location
- Boston, MA
- Occupation
- Massachusetts Master Electrician, one man show.
Re: Cans in the shower
Or you could tell him that is is not required and next time the situation may be avoided. (For you and everybody else) Also he will learn someting new that day. (Yes inspectors can still learn)
A
a.wayne3@verizon.net
Guest
Re: Cans in the shower
Scott you can`t be more correct.Last week I have a hard _ _ _ inspector I deal with he usually is NEC right with what he cites.but the issue came up about a 3.6 KW wall oven being on a 25 amp breaker.He said 125% takes control.Well I have never seen wall oven run for 3 hours or more under continious load.There is a thermostat.So I told him this and that we have to go with 80% of the breakers rating.He ranted and raved that I was being picky.Well that didn`t fare well so we went next door to a closed home and opened the panel and set an amprobe on the wall oven set it on broil and within 30 min it kicked off.SO As far as i am concerned I am covered.He wanted a 20 2p20reaker by 125 % but it has to be a 25 amp breaker,or am I missing something ???
Scott you can`t be more correct.Last week I have a hard _ _ _ inspector I deal with he usually is NEC right with what he cites.but the issue came up about a 3.6 KW wall oven being on a 25 amp breaker.He said 125% takes control.Well I have never seen wall oven run for 3 hours or more under continious load.There is a thermostat.So I told him this and that we have to go with 80% of the breakers rating.He ranted and raved that I was being picky.Well that didn`t fare well so we went next door to a closed home and opened the panel and set an amprobe on the wall oven set it on broil and within 30 min it kicked off.SO As far as i am concerned I am covered.He wanted a 20 2p20reaker by 125 % but it has to be a 25 amp breaker,or am I missing something ???
renosteinke
Senior Member
- Location
- NE Arkansas
Re: Cans in the shower
I find that shower/tub/pool lights bring up two very important issues, not directly addressed by the code.
The first is- where does the switch go? If I can reach it from the water, I really want it gfci'd.
The second issue is: How do you change the light bulbs? Will there be room for a ladder when the plumbing fixtures are installed?
I find that shower/tub/pool lights bring up two very important issues, not directly addressed by the code.
The first is- where does the switch go? If I can reach it from the water, I really want it gfci'd.
The second issue is: How do you change the light bulbs? Will there be room for a ladder when the plumbing fixtures are installed?
- Status