Residental wiring

[really304]

I have some questions and I appreciate any help I can get.

Is there a minimum horizontal clearance for a ceiling light? In a basement room the ceiling is about 9 inches lower around some duct work, the light fixture in the room will be on the higher part of the ceiling. Is there a requirement for how far the light must be from where the ceiling drops (essentially a 9" vertical wall)?

Is a panel outlet required? Now that the basement is being finished, is the outlet just below the breaker panel required to be there or since there is an outlet within 6ft of the panel, may this outlet be removed?

I would like to add a light in a crawl space (approx. 3 ft tall). What are the requirements for a light in a closet or crawl space (bulb guard, etc.)?

Thank you in advance!

 

[electricmanscott]

Re: Residental wiring

NEC does not specify light locations as you describe. MAy be a building code issue. There is no requirement for an outlet by a panel.

 

[tom baker]

Re: Residental wiring

None of these are code issues.
However in your crawl space, put a GFCI receptacle just inside the entrance. Feed your crawl space lights from the GFCI. If you bump into one, and break it, it will give you a little more protection.

 

[a.wayne3@verizon.net]

Re: Residental wiring

Sounds lke you are finishing the basement to be used as living space,if so it has to meet spacing requirements,as well as lighting reqiurements,and if there is a closet there and it can be used as a bedroom smoke detectors at the top and bottom of the stairs..................

 

[sparkmantoo]

Re: Residental wiring

what you need to look at is the BOCA code. in there they specify minimum heighths for fixtures. on ceiling fans i am pretty sure the minimum heighth from the floor is 7'6". and with all those blades swinging around i would have to say that lighting fixtures are somewhere in the same area. ask your local building inspector they should know.

 

[don]

Re: Residental wiring

I ran into this some time back, a house I bought had the kitchen in the basement but the basement was level with the ground and the doorway to the outside from the kitchen served as the main entrance, the ceiling is about 6'4" maybe a little higher, the boca code officer said this room could remain as a kitchen but all light fixtures had to be wall mounts, none allowed on ceiling, hope this helps.