Junction box allowed in shower ceiling?

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If unavoidable, I'd be inclined to specify a non-metallic box, cover & screws, and waterproof wire nuts. This sounds like a corrosion problem waiting to happen, especially if it's cold above the ceiling.
 
I'm guessing it would have to be at least 8 feet high based on the fact that lumineres in showers have to be eight feet high. I'm going from memory here. I don't have a code reference.
 
Why not just install an LED light kit over it? Those are all wet-location rated. I'm referring to the low-profile circular ones that look like cans, but are actually fixtures.
 
Coppersmith said:
I'm guessing it would have to be at least 8 feet high based on the fact that lumineres in showers have to be eight feet high. I'm going from memory here. I don't have a code reference.
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There are no restrictions of any kind referring to junction boxes in a shower in the NEC so there is no code reference to refer to. Same goes for height restrictions for light fixtures.

I found a junction box in a shower. It was a big fancy shower in a big fancy house. Why was it there? Who knows. It was in less worse shape than a lot of outdoor junction boxes I have seen.
 
Just be careful that if it is a plastic box and your plate is metal then it must be grounded. We use plastic round plates so it is not an issue.

I agree with the others who say there is no code on it.
 
I don't see an issue with it.
All those things that everyone said above are great ideas but I wouldn't over think it. A blank plate with a gasket should do you fine especially if the bathroom has an exhaust fan.
 
Coppersmith said:
I'm guessing it would have to be at least 8 feet high
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ActionDave said:
There are no restrictions ... for height restrictions for light fixtures.
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This is the code section I was referencing. I don't know if there is a jbox restriction in the NEC, but it seems logical based on this. At minimum, IMHO, the jbox and cover should be wet rated.

410.10 Luminaires in Specific Locations.
(D) Bathtub and Shower Areas. No parts of cord connected
luminaires, chain-, cable-, or cord-suspended luminaires,
lighting track, pendants, or ceiling-suspended (paddle)
fans shall be located within a zone measured 900 mm (3 ft)
horizontally and 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from the top of the
bathtub rim or shower stall threshold. This zone is all encompassing
and includes the space directly over the tub or shower
stall. Luminaires located within the actual outside dimension
of the bathtub or shower to a height of 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically
from the top of the bathtub rim or shower threshold shall be
marked for damp locations, or marked for wet locations where
subject to shower spray.
 
Every so often I find open lamp chandeliers in violation of that Code section and the job ends up with a blank cover.
 
Coppersmith said:
I'm guessing it would have to be at least 8 feet high based on the fact that lumineres in showers have to be eight feet high. I'm going from memory here. I don't have a code reference.
Click to expand...

Coppersmith said:
This is the code section I was referencing. I don't know if there is a jbox restriction in the NEC, but it seems logical based on this. At minimum, IMHO, the jbox and cover should be wet rated.

410.10 Luminaires in Specific Locations.
(D) Bathtub and Shower Areas. No parts of cord connected
luminaires, chain-, cable-, or cord-suspended luminaires,
lighting track, pendants, or ceiling-suspended (paddle)
fans shall be located within a zone measured 900 mm (3 ft)
horizontally and 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from the top of the
bathtub rim or shower stall threshold. This zone is all encompassing
and includes the space directly over the tub or shower
stall. Luminaires located within the actual outside dimension
of the bathtub or shower to a height of 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically
from the top of the bathtub rim or shower threshold shall be
marked for damp locations, or marked for wet locations where
subject to shower spray.
Click to expand...

Note that is specifies certain luminaire types, not all luminaires.
 
augie47 said:
Every so often I find open lamp chandeliers in violation of that Code section and the job ends up with a blank cover.
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Until you leave. One time I had a similar situation and the inspectors made us cut the wires at the switch box so they couldn't be used.
 
Wet location rating only required if subject to shower spray, otherwise damp location rating is acceptable, should apply to luminaires as well as other items.
 
I have shown this many times

Perfectly legal and if there was a shower fixtures there would be compliant if they were wet location

enhance
 
Dennis, that is not a shower but a bath, and the lights look to be above three feet from the rim of that tub... thus compliant. Problem with the code is the three foot for a shower starts at the shower head or the shower bar... rather than the rim... but as another said, a junction box that is sealed properly is probably not a code violation.. an aesthetics violation yes, code violation..probably not.
 
Adamjamma said:
Dennis, that is not a shower but a bath, and the lights look to be above three feet from the rim of that tub... thus compliant. Problem with the code is the three foot for a shower starts at the shower head or the shower bar... rather than the rim... but as another said, a junction box that is sealed properly is probably not a code violation.. an aesthetics violation yes, code violation..probably not.
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First the three foot requirement is a horizontal requirement not a vertical one.

Second those luminaires in Dennis' photo are not "cord connectedluminaires, chain-, cable-, or cord-suspended luminaires,
lighting track, pendants, or ceiling-suspended (paddle)
fans"
 
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