ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
Increasing demand factors in residential
by gfretwell - 03/28/24 12:43 AM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
Cordless Tools: The Obvious Question
by renosteinke - 03/14/24 08:05 PM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
1 members (Scott35), 265 guests, and 15 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
#112098 03/04/01 11:21 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,682
Likes: 3
Admin Offline OP
Administrator
Member
<img border="0" src="https://www.electrical-contractor.net/Violations/Submissions/switch2.jpg" alt="Switch by Bathtub" width="300" height="400">


<font color="#000000" size="3">Does this break Code? .. If not
- Why Not?</font>



<font color="#000000" size="2">Submitted by Virgil Kelly, a.k.a.
sparky66wv</font>

#112099 03/05/01 09:02 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,392
S
Member
210-70 says you gotta have it, but does not specify location.

#112100 03/05/01 07:12 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,392
S
Member
Ok, whats the fix? A splashproof sw cover? A full shower door, opening at the other end?
hmmmmmmm

[Linked Image]

#112101 03/05/01 08:29 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,116
Likes: 4
Member
In some parts it is common practice to put the switches outside the room. I'm not sure if that was local code though. I don't agree with that though.

Bill


Bill
#112102 03/06/01 08:35 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,392
S
Member
That would be sensible Bill.
Code wise, all i see is 410-57-c , only applies to receptacles, the "shower space" is a little more defined in 410-4-d.

#112103 03/06/01 07:30 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,236
Likes: 1
Member
Here's what I found...

410-4(d) states that "No parts of cord connected fixtures, hanging fixtures, lighting track, pendants or ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans shall be located within a zone measured 3 ft. horizontally and 8 ft. vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold..."

410-57(c) states that "A receptacle shall not be installed within a tub or shower space..." which I'm left to assume "space" is defined above in 410-4(d),

630-41(c) states that "Switches shall be located at least 5 ft., measured horizontally, from the inside walls of the spa or hot tub..."

550-8(f)(1) "Shower or Bathtub Space Receptacle outlets shall not be installed in or within reach (30 inches) of a shower or bathtub space."
(this is a double wide mobile home...)

But that's all I've found even remotely pertaining to this... I suppose it's a "legal" installation...

I'm going to steal a great question of Bill's and ask What about installing a sconce light in a shower or bathtub space? Is it legal and why(not)?


[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 03-09-2001).]


-Virgil
Residential/Commercial Inspector
5 Star Inspections
Member IAEI
#112104 03/07/01 04:34 AM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 38
T
Member
art 380-4 forbids switches "within wet locations in tub or shower spaces" that seems to me to be a judgement call as the zone addressed in 410-4(d)is not refered to as a wet location.

#112105 03/07/01 09:22 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,236
Likes: 1
Member
Excellent 'rain...!
I missed that one somehow... I looked real hard too.. I guess I missed the "wet location" keyword when looking in the ol' index.

Again, it's sort-of subjective... but at least it's something to go on for safety's sake.

My "gut feeling" told me that this was wrong..(and common sense) but I had nothing to back me up until now.

Thanks!


-Virgil
Residential/Commercial Inspector
5 Star Inspections
Member IAEI
#112106 03/09/01 01:20 AM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,236
Likes: 1
Member
Let's assume the powers that be judge this a legal installation...far enough away to be out of the undefined(?)"wet location". What happens if the homeowner installs a(portable) jet type bubbler on the tub...now does the switch become illegal as per 630-41(c)?

"Wet locations in tub or shower spaces" in 380-4 seem as well defined as "tub or shower spaces" in 410-57(c). Nothing directly relates this to "zone measured 3 ft. horizontally and 8 ft. vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold" in 410-4(d).

Just how much are we to extrapolate?

[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 03-09-2001).]


-Virgil
Residential/Commercial Inspector
5 Star Inspections
Member IAEI

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5