ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues 210.70 (A) (2) (C)

If I had steps the light would be on a motion detector up stairs so the light came on as you approached from above or as you got to the steps on the bottom.
I like motion lights though, I have them everywhere in my home. You can walk around just about anywhere, inside or out, at night without ever flipping a switch and you are never in the dark.

That would be the real test.

I also would want to know how many repeat customers this same EC will get.

I don't want anyone to think I am suggesting 3-ways are not the way to go, only that the NEC does not require them.

I agree that any good design has 3-way switches in both attics and basements, but that's not what the Code says. That's all I was getting at. Often times I run into a staircase to an attic that has no walls built up in the attic and something has to be built to accomidate (sp?) the switch. Otherwise the switch gets mounted in the roof joists. And if the staircase comes up in the middle of the attic, and the ceiling is 10' well then where do I put my switch? I do alot of spec houses and often times the bare minimum is all that gets done in these homes. Very rarely do I meet the homeowners afterwards.

Actually, I said nothing about neding a three-way switch.

An arrangement such as I saw overseas would be acceptable here.

I saw an arrangement where every landing had a simple push-button. Push the button, and you had light for a very limited time, on that level only. Typically, there was just enough time to walk to the next push-button, on the next level, before you were returned to darkness.

Such an arrangement would, as I read the code, be acceptable here.

First--I believe the section does not require lighting outlets on the stairs as it says "Where one or more lighting outlets are installed for interior stairways...", it doesn't say they must be installed.

Second--If you decide to install lighting outlet(s) for the interior stairway(s), and the interior stairway(s) are 6 or more risers, that each lighting outlet installed for lighting the stairway needs to be controllable from each floor level and landing level with an entry way. This means three way and/or four way switching is required.

I don't think the wording allows for separate switching for separate lighting outlets for the same stairway.

Third--If you install lighting for any interior stairway, the three-way/four-way switching is required. The section does not differentiate stairways to different areas of the house. Are pull down stairs a stairway-not sure.

Look up a couple lines.
210.72(A)(1)(a) At least one wall switch-controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in hallways, stairways ... yada yada

+1 Steve.

" that each lighting outlet installed for lighting the stairway needs to be controllable from each floor level and landing level with an entry way. "

Tells me, no matter then number of lights, each and every one needs to be controlled from EACH floor. Not either floor...