ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area shower light

i have a bet with my boss.... he says that a light above a tub needs to be gfi protected and i cant find a code that says it has to be . now i would like to say that i think its a good idea that it is gfi protected but if someone could clear this up with a code refrence that would be great ....also do you guys normally do it anyway or not thanks

It needs a wet location trim, but GFCI protection isn't required by the NEC.

I usually do it anyway, since a GFCI protected circuit is generally just a few feet away.

Depending on how the bet was worded, your boss may have won. Some towns around me have local ammendments that require GFI. I've worked where they wanted all the bathroom lights GFI.

I've never had to do it, but I know of AHJ's that have required it...

How does your boss like his coffee and donuts?

Also, if the instructions require it...

As stated NEC does not require it. I have never seen a manufacturer require it. And where I am, an inspector cannot require it. People say it is a good idea, in reality why?

If the bet was based on pure code I would agree with you.

This may or may not be a code requirement, as 110.3(B) only requires that the instructions of the listing and labeling be followed.

J. Random Homeowner, standing barefoot in a wet shower stall, trying to change a bulb without turning the switch off first?

[This message has been edited by NJwirenut (edited 04-07-2004).]

Stupid is as stupid does.

Yeah, but it is our job to idiot-proof the place isn't it?

That's the only problem with having all these codes and regulations. Although that would be a weak argument, one I'd never try to make. Maybe I should say it is an unfortunate result. People get so used to indusrties engineering every bit of danger out of things they stop thinking for themselves.

I remember being on a job a long time ago asking the guy I was with "how do you know that can be done that way" (All I remember is he making assumptions that if wrong would be dangerous) Instead of giving me an answer like "the instructions say...." or "Well you see, this is how this works.....", his reponse was "they wouldn't make it that way."

I was terrified at the mentality.