Low-Voltage fixtures used indoors

[BMacky]

I've been asked to install low-voltage landscape lighting fixtures in the walls of a sunken bathroom shower stall (residential). The fixtures are fed remotely by a transformer located in another room. The fixtures are also Wet Location listed. The inspector will not hear my argument that these are low voltage and should not be scritunized as if they were line-voltage fixtures within the shower zone.

What is the correct chapter and article for showing the inspector that these do not fall in the category as inspectable? Or do they somehow? They are wired in accordance with applicable code and the manufacturer has an option for thermal protection that we were required to add for stud-wall construction.

Thanks.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

What is the correct chapter and article for showing the inspector that these do not fall in the category as inspectable? Or do they somehow? They are wired in accordance with applicable code and the manufacturer has an option for thermal protection that we were required to add for stud-wall construction.

Thanks.

Low voltage lights are inspectable and do fall under the NEC.

Art. 410.4 (D) may be the article you need to look at in reference to a light in the shower. There is no reason that a luminaire cannot be installed in the "ZONE" of the bathtub or shower as long as it is listed wet location.

Does the light have a jb that you can terminate an approved wiring method into? For instance, you cannot run low voltage outdoor cable through the walls inside a building.

You would have to run a cable such as NM or something similar from the transformer to the light. This wire needs to be terminated as any 120 volt cable would be-- even at the transformer end of the run.

 

[LarryFine]

What is the correct chapter and article for showing the inspector that these do not fall in the category as inspectable? Or do they somehow? They are wired in accordance with applicable code and the manufacturer has an option for thermal protection that we were required to add for stud-wall construction.

Show him the manufacturer's instructions for the indoor use.

 

[BMacky]

Low voltage lights are inspectable and do fall under the NEC.

Art. 410.4 (D) may be the article you need to look at in reference to a light in the shower. There is no reason that a luminaire cannot be installed in the "ZONE" of the bathtub or shower as long as it is listed wet location.

Does the light have a jb that you can terminate an approved wiring method into? For instance, you cannot run low voltage outdoor cable through the walls inside a building.

You would have to run a cable such as NM or something similar from the transformer to the light. This wire needs to be terminated as any 120 volt cable would be-- even at the transformer end of the run.

Yes, the lights are designed using standard round bell boxes with gaskets between the box and face plate. I used #12 AWG tray cable from the transformer secondary to the fixture. All terminations are approved methods as in any line-voltage installation.

I've reviewed the zone article [410.4 (D)] and we are in compliance, as the fixture is Wet Location listed, however we have documentation from ARL (listing agency) that they must be min 12" above grade. These are step lights and are being used in walls above the step down into a shower. The floor level, if used as grade, would put these so high above the step they'd be useless. The main reason for my post was to see if landscape fixtures have any place in an inspection. I realize that wiring methods are, but the fact that they are being used indoors evidentally has some merit.

Thanks for the replies.