Switch distance from a shower / tub
- Thread starter cppoly
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luckylerado
Senior Member
- Location
- Lake of the Ozarks
There is no NEC specified distance.
The only restriction is that the sw cant be "in" the shower/tub area- see 404.4(C).
404.4 mentions if the switch is installed in a damp or wet location it shall be enclosed in a weatherproof enclosure.
What distance from shower (not being installed in it) classifies it at as a damp location? Or as long as the switch is outside of the shower, it is neither damp or wet?
What distance from shower (not being installed in it) classifies it at as a damp location? Or as long as the switch is outside of the shower, it is neither damp or wet?
Correct.
Think about it- a switch or receptacle located elsewhere in the bath doesn't need to be Wp, so......
See art 100 for damp/wet loc definitions
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Just curious, a damp location is defined as:
"Locations protected from weather and not subject to saturation with water or other liquids but subject to moderate degrees of moisture. Examples of such locations include partially protected locations under canopies, marquees, roofed open porches, and like locations, and interior locations subject to moderate degrees of moisture, such as some basements, some barns, and some cold-storage warehouses."
If a basement could be considered a damp location, wouldn't a switch that's literally right next to water and steam (whereas a basement is not) also be considered a damp location?
"Locations protected from weather and not subject to saturation with water or other liquids but subject to moderate degrees of moisture. Examples of such locations include partially protected locations under canopies, marquees, roofed open porches, and like locations, and interior locations subject to moderate degrees of moisture, such as some basements, some barns, and some cold-storage warehouses."
If a basement could be considered a damp location, wouldn't a switch that's literally right next to water and steam (whereas a basement is not) also be considered a damp location?
Not according to the NEC.
Look at it this way- if someone is taking a shower, they will either have a curtain or a door separating the water/ heavy steam from the sw.
If they are taking a bath, there is no way the sw can be exposed to moisture short of water being thrown on the sw and on that note, do we demand Wp for all devices b/c someone could bring a water hose in the house an spray it in to receptacles and switches?
gadfly56
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Professional Engineer, Fire & Life Safety
Not according to the NEC.
Look at it this way- if someone is taking a shower, they will either have a curtain or a door separating the water/ heavy steam from the sw.
If they are taking a bath, there is no way the sw can be exposed to moisture short of water being thrown on the sw and on that note, do we demand Wp for all devices b/c someone could bring a water hose in the house an spray it in to receptacles and switches?
I'm not arguing with the definition, but I can tell you from my own experience that when my wife takes a shower every surface in the bathroom winds up covered in condensate.
I think that the keywords in the DEF for damp loc is moderate and dry loc is normally . A bathroom does not stay damp from condensation- everything dries out fairly quickly once the shower is over. In a lot of basements, not so much- they tend to stay damp.
jumper
Senior Member
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- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
gadfly56
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Professional Engineer, Fire & Life Safety
Tell her to hire an electrician to install a properly sized exhaust fan.
Well, if you happen to find one, forward a name.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
IMO, that does not fit the definition of damp location. I believe from the examples they are talking about areas that are constantly or often influenced by damp areas for long times. I have never had anyone consider the bathroom a damp location. If it was considered damp I would have expected it to be one of the examples.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
I agree for over a hundred years it never was and probably never will be. Can you imagine installing theses on all bath receptacles or switches?
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
I installed a screen porch attached to my house about 28 years ago. I admit I installed receptacles and switches and never installed wp plates. I also never had to replace any switch or receptacle out there. It does have a 2' overhang and the corners have 18' wide walls... The outlets are well protected from rain but dampness has never caused an issue...:?
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