Lighting fixtures over showers and bathtubs

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mshields

mshields

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Boston, MA
My new house has fixtures in the bathroom over a bathtub in one case and above the walkin shower in another. These fixtures turn off automatically, if you take along shower. Presumably they have a bimetallic strip in them.

Is this a code requirement? And if so, where is it indicated?
 
Yes, the recessed cans are required to be thermally protected. It is in 410.65(C).

What type of trim and lamp are installed, and how does that compare with the recommendations on the label inside the can?

Are they IC rated? Are the installed in contact with insulation? What brand are they? Is the shower can's lamp enclosed in the trim, or is it exposed? How high above the shower is the ceiling?

How tall are you? Do you work out? Are these questions getting a little unsettling?
 
Re: Lighting fixtures over showers and bathtubs

mshields said:
My new house has fixtures in the bathroom over a bathtub in one case and above the walkin shower in another. These fixtures turn off automatically, if you take along shower. Presumably they have a bimetallic strip in them.

Is this a code requirement? And if so, where is it indicated?
Click to expand...

The answers to your questions are yes.

I'm more concerne with the lights turning off...do they turn off after a while, even if you are not taking a shower? If so this may indicate some bad thermals.

The other questions are asking IF these are the proper fixtures for the application.
 
Glad your having fun with this George from CO. So this applies to all recessed incandescent fixtures!

That's curious because I've seen these two fixtures switch off automatically in the bathrooms when nobody was taking a shower and ambient temp was normal.

We have recessed fixtures in our bedroom, our kitchen and family room. These never automatically switch off.

6-1 / don't work out - run alot though / People are gonna talk...
 
Are the trims/lamps the same in the other rooms? Is it just a standard baffle with an R-30 lamp in it?

If so, it could be a bad connection in the first can in the series. When the connection heats up (from the normal current flowing through the connection, it can move a little bit, and break the connection. Then everything cools down, since there's no load on that portion of the circuit, and repeats.

Do both the affected cans cycle together or independently?
 
This is what I think. The lights over the shower and tub have shower trims. They are IC cans and take a low wattage lamp. This was probably too dark so a higher wattage lamp was installed thus causing the thermal switch to over heat. Light cools down and turns back on. Repeat.

Now more importantly, I don't want to be a third wheel as things seem to be going pretty well with you and George but you say you run. Any races lately, upcoming?
 
This board is the coolest thing. And what are you implying about me and George. Not that there would be anything wrong with what you were implying. But....

Your guess intrigues me. I'm going to look into that one. It rings true!

As for races, we've got the corporate challenge coming up. They have that in most major cities I think. It's a very cool event, just a short 3.2 miles. The only drawback is it's incredibly overcrowded. It's one of those where the gun goes off and you cross the starting line 5 minutes later.

But I still like it. Lots of good blaring music and freebies after your done.

Thanks again!
 
Lighting fixtures over showers and bathtubs

georgestolz said:
Yes, the recessed cans are required to be thermally protected. It is in 410.65(C).

..., Is the shower can's lamp enclosed in the trim, or is it exposed? How high above the shower is the ceiling?

How tall are you? Do you work out? Are these questions getting a little unsettling?
Click to expand...
Stop it.You're killin' me.Did you write comedy in a former life?
 
I heartily recommend using compact-fluorescent reflector bulbs. You can get 150 watts' worth of light for around 35 watts' worth of heat and electricity.
 
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