A. Master electrician Sean Kenney responds: The short answer is yes. Although the NEC does not require either the switch or the light fixture to be GFCI-protected, most lighting fixtures designed for use in a shower stall require GFCI protection to meet UL requirements.
Can you have a light fixture over a shower?
It says that if the fixture is above the tub or shower, and within 8 ft. vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower threshold, the fixture must be rated for damp locations. If the fixture may be subject to shower spray, it has to be rated for wet locations.
What lights can go above a shower?
Recessed lighting can be added to the ceiling over the tub. If you have just a tub below the light, then you can use a damp rated recessed lighting fixture. If you also have a shower over the tub area, then you should use a wet rated recessed lighting fixture.
Do lights have to be GFCI-protected?
Plug-in lighting must plug into an approved GFCI receptacle designed for the area. To avoid injury, make sure you follow all guidelines when selecting lighting for your outside locations.
Where should light be placed in shower?
It should be placed 75 to 80 inches above the floor and, like all vanity lighting, contain at least 150 watts ideally spread over a fixture that’s at least 24 inches long so that the light will wash evenly over the hair and face.
Can you put any ceiling light in a bathroom?
As long as you follow the correct safety procedures and make sure you install lights outside of the zones requiring IP rated fittings, you can use any lighting to make your bathroom as stylish as you like.
Can bathroom lights be on the GFCI circuit?
You can feed the bathroom lights you want to protect on one dedicated GFCI circuit with its own GFCI breaker for added safety. These items cannot be protected through another outlet they’re not directly plugged into (like if you were plugging them into an existing non-GFCI receptacle).
Can I put lights on GFCI?
Just run it as you would from any non-GFCI outlet. The light circuit does not need the ground fault protection but it certainly does not affect it adversely in any way.
Can LED lights be on a GFCI circuit?
Other tools would work fine pluged into the gfci, but the LED light would not. The led light would work fine in other receptacles as well.
Do you need a light above shower?
Every shower (whether it is a shower cabin or a large walk-in shower) needs light. Light which differs in some areas from traditional living room or kitchen lighting.
Should bathroom lights be up or down?
You need both ambient and task lighting in the bathroom. Vanity lights mounted with shades pointed up provide ambient light, and those with shades pointed down provide task light.
Do I need a special light bulb for my shower?
Of course, a light bulb that is compatible with the bathroom and light fixture is critical for a shower light. Traditionally, halogen lamps have been used, but more and more people are opting for LED models for a far more energy efficient lighting system.
Can you put a light fixture over a bathtub?
The National Electrical Code prohibits installing a hanging ceiling light fixture within 3′ horizontally of a tub unless there is 8′ or more in clearance from the bottom of the light fixture to the top of the tub.
Do you need special light bulbs for bathroom?
While damp-rated lights are recommended in some parts of your bathroom, they’re not necessary for dry spots.In short, unless you’re wiring fixtures in close proximity to your shower, you can use dry-rated lights for most bathroom locations.
Do bathrooms need GFCI breakers?
GFCI receptacles are required in bathrooms, garages, crawl spaces, basements, laundry rooms and areas where a water source is present.
Do outside lights require GFCI?
Outdoor receptacles are usually required to have a GFCI or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.When asked if outdoor lights need GFCI, the simple answer is, Yes. Keep reading below to learn what you need to know about GFCI for outdoor lighting.
Do LED lights trip arc fault breakers?
Unplug or turn off surge protectors plugged into bedroom outlets, fluorescent lights with electronic ballasts, and lighting controls with LED displays that are on the AFCI circuit. They sometimes allow current leakage that can trip the AFCI and create a situation where a circuit breaker keeps tripping without a load.
Why do LED lights trip breaker?
LED power supplies have something called an inrush current. This happens when the buy cheap generic viagra supply is initially turned on, and for a very short period of time there is a spike of power (much higher than the specified output of the power supply), which means this can trip some breakers.
Can a bad LED bulb trip a breaker?
To prevent this most bulbs have a fuse built into them that burns out and shuts off the flow of current. But for a brief period the current flow goes through the roof and might trip a circuit breaker. It’s rare but it could happen.
Are LED lights safe in shower?
So, while you technically don’t need damp-rated LEDs in some parts of your bathroom, it’s safest to get them if you can. If you do find an LED light you love that’s not damp-rated, make sure it’s installed at least 600mm from showers, bathtubs, and basins so that they’re safe to use.
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