Need a closet light for a 36" wide closet.
- Thread starter BlueFox
- Start date
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
There is no such thing as a light that is identified for use in a closet space. I used an undercabinet light above the door in my closets.
The storage zone only goes to 6' high or the height of the rod, whichever is higher, so if you can get the surface of the light 12" above that you are compliant. If you have a 7.5' ceiling, you should be able to fit just about any LED fixture in the ceiling. Recessed cuts the clearance requirement in half to 6" if things are tight. Flat LED strip lights intended for under the cabinet work nicely above the door on the header. I wish part (2) also had the word LED instead of only fluorescent.
BlueFox
Member
410.16(A) says: The volume extends vertically to the closet ceiling parallel to the walls at a horizontal distance of 300mm (12 in.) or the width of the shelf, whichever is greater.
I have heard some AHJ are saying that even though their is not a shelf installed the space is still considered "clothes closet storage space"
which does not make any sense on a three foot wide closet.
I see your issue, I failed to notice that the side area goes to the ceiling. With a 3' closet, you need a light of 0 width to make a 6" clearance to the storage space area in the center area. The only out I can think of would be getting the closet to not be considered a clothes closet. If it has a closet rod, that won't happen... If it is a pantry or utility room closet, maybe.
Fred B
Senior Member
- Location
- Upstate, NY
- Occupation
- Electrician
Have used almost exclusively LED wafer lights in closet
Here is one site (not the only one) that has multiple fixtures identified for use in cloth closets.
www.prolighting.com
Here is one site (not the only one) that has multiple fixtures identified for use in cloth closets.
Closet Lighting Fixtures / LED Closet Lights at PROLIGHTING - Trusted by Professionals | PROLIGHTING
Illuminate your space with closet lighting fixtures from PROLIGHTING. Trusted by professionals, our energy-efficient and stylish solutions bring functionality and clarity to any closet.
www.prolighting.com
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
You could even install one in the wall above the door.
Choose the middle of color-selectable lights for longest life.
Choose the middle of color-selectable lights for longest life.
wwhitney
Senior Member
- Location
- Berkeley, CA
- Occupation
- Retired
Only if it meets the exception in the NEC section quoted in the OP. Otherwise, with a 36" wide closet, any location of non-zero size within the room is within 6" of the storage space shown in post #5, and so can not comply with any of (D)(1) through (4) in the OP.
This website says "Products adorned with the Closet-Rated Certification have undergone a rigorous evaluation process to ensure they meet UL's stringent standards, namely UL 2108, 67.1.9, and 60.4." Sounds like those would meet the exception in the OP.
Cheers, Wayne
wwhitney
Senior Member
- Location
- Berkeley, CA
- Occupation
- Retired
That website search is not limited to the correct specification for the situation in the OP. The very first item's spec sheet just says "Suitable for use in clothes closets when installed in accordance with the NEC 410.16 spacing requirements." For the exception, sounds like the necessary specification is "Closet-Rated Certified" or some language saying listed for use within the storage space.
Cheers, Wayne