Outdoor lighting and GFCI

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shocking

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Outdoor receptacles are required to be GFCI protected.
For an outdoor light mounted on the side of the house, wet location, and the switch being indoors, would the circuit need to be GFCI protected?

Would the answer to the above be the same for a circuit running to a lamp post?

I cant find references and in the past, I have yet to find a lamp fixture attached outside of a house that was on a GFCI circuit.

thanks
 
Thanks!

Outdoor receptacles are always GFI, no matter where they are.
I wasnt sure about the outdoor fixture circuit rules.
 
shocking said:
Thanks!

Outdoor receptacles are always GFI, no matter where they are.
I wasnt sure about the outdoor fixture circuit rules.
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The outdoor post in a residential setting would have to be gfci protected if the wiring to it was only 12" deep instead of the 24" depth.
Table 300.5 col. 4
 
Not always, see 210.8(A)(3) exception.
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I didnt look it up.. but Im sure it says , GFCI not required if not readily accessible.... lol...


Thanks for the outdoor post info.
So if a luminaire is installed on side of building, no GFCI circuit is required.

Ok...if someone has a gate and they wish to install fixtures on them, a GFCI would then be required, if the wiring is 12" deep only. Same goes if the wiring is not done underground, I assume.
 
shocking said:
Ok...if someone has a gate and they wish to install fixtures on them, a GFCI would then be required, if the wiring is 12" deep only.
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This is correct

shocking said:
Same goes if the wiring is not done underground, I assume.
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Actually, I believe if the wiring to a yard post light is run above ground,then no GFCI would be required.
 
I didnt look it up.. but Im sure it says , GFCI not required if not readily accessible
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Readily accessible and a dedicated branch circuit for electric snow-melting or de-icing equipment.

Chris
 
dennis- wouldnt it be code using gfi if wiring above ground? since a gfi is required if u go underground but only 12 inches. im trying to look this up but all i find is outdoor receptacle. . .
 
I believe the purpose of the gfi requirement is because the depth is only 24 inches and subject to damage from shovels. 24" this is not as much of a problem but if it is above grade it is visible and capable of being avoided.

Now I assume you are not talking uf cable laying on the ground because that is a violation in and of itself.

Suppose you ran pipe on the outside of a building at grade level then came up the wall to a light. GFI or not--- I say not.

I cannot think of any situations where I would run a conduit on grade to feed a post light so the case is moot for me but I still say no GFCI if you are above grade unless I can be shown where it is required.


I do not think you will find a code that says an outdoor post light must be GFCI protected unless it is reference to the depth of the wire not the light itself.
 
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