I am trying to figure out how a low voltage pendant light over a sink in a bathroom violates code. A local inspector issued a violation based on the fact that the pendant is within 3 feet of the shower door and not 8ft above.

It is a absolute show-piece bathroom and all of the work is done 100% on the money.

Anyone wish to clarify?

.. what about vanity light bars right next to a sink with "screw in sockets" left empty because people and little kids love to take light bulbs out of the socket. That is allowed still ???

2002 NEC


Not much to figure out, the article directly calls out hanging pendent fixtures.

If the fixture is within "the zone" it has to go.

As far as "screw in sockets left empty because people and little kids love to take light bulbs out of the socket" that is beyond NEC control.

This is one of those areas where the black and white interpretations of the code cause problems. You can have a high volt pendant hanging directly over a sink bowl, but a low volt one too close to the shower isn't allowed.

Some people, not me of course , might take the light down and replace it with a blank plate for inspection, then if the home owner put it back later......

410.4(D) Bathtub and Shower Areas. The End?


Does it say in the article, why that is the case?

And where are all of the usual exceptions. Almost all other articles have at least some.

Could it be that the people writing these articles do not have sufficient knowledge about this "New" technology?

How about "new" Dimmers that are controlled via CAT-5 Network.. which obviously require a CAT5 run into the same single gang 120V device.

What does the code say about that?

Reading some of these articles, it is clear that some of the rules are strictly based on fear of new things and even some ignorance.