We don't do any pool wiring so I haven't paid a whole lot of attention to the code changes, I was aware of the GFCI requirement some time back for the pump etc but I'm a bit confused by this statement in Mike Holt's latest newsletter the wiring, including the equipment grounding for all 120V pool lights, needs to be disconnected at the panel or the light needs to be low voltage without an equipment grounding conductor
Are line voltage pool lights now forbidden, even existing ones?
I think we need a little more context. I looked through 2020 art 680 and I don't see what he is talking about. It looks pretty much the same to me since they required GFCI for all single phase pumps. (a cycle or 2 ago)
I found out a couple of east coast counties in Florida did this (no line voltage lights) as a county ordinance but I question the legality since the state mandates the electrical code. It does not show up in the state code. The purpose of the "Unified Building Code" was that local AHJs could not make up their own rules but I guess that concept went away. Since I retired I am not on top of this as much as before. The ordinance only applies to replacement lights. If the existing is working and you are not replacing it, they are not sending a SWAT team over to disconnect the wires
The ironic thing is the incident that prompted the ordinance involved a low voltage light.
I read the above statement and honestly, it makes no sense as it is written.
I did a quick look at the info MH has on his site for Art 680 (2017) and I see a lot of pool lighting, but I don't have the time to read it all now in my office. (I do have work to do)
I'll try to read it thru over the upcoming long weekend.
Everyone stay safe and healthy and enjoy (the best you can) Memorial Day!!
In my digging I did find a reference to disconnecting 120v lights and an exception to the code that requires proper lighting if the old light was 120v but this is in the county ordinance, not the State Electrical/Building code. Miami is even offering a "bargain price", $65, for a permit to remove a 120v light and replace it with a 12v light.
It is interesting that he picked up a Miami Dade ordinance in Leesburg. That is a couple hundred miles away. Maybe he heard that they are trying to get the low voltage only rule into the Unified Florida Building Code but I have not heard that it happened. I do understand the dangers when these things are not on a GFCI but I think it should be pointed out that it was a low voltage light fault that brought up this ordinance. I suspect this was in someone's desk drawer waiting for a body and they pulled the trigger before they actually had the details.
