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Lighting Bathrooms

Definition of pendant for over-bath fixture

11 months ago

last modified: 11 months ago

hi, I'm looking for a flush-mount, wet-rated light to go over our bathtub (I believe we need wet-rated since we have a hand shower). To start with does anyone have good leads for nice decorative lights of this sort? Most of the wet-rated lights I've found that quality are really made for outdoors, and don't have the delicate features or nice finishes that you might want in a bathroom.

Secondly, does anyone know how 'pendant' is defined by code in the US?

Per this, pendants are not allowed in the zone above the bathtub.

https://www.electricallicenserenewal.com/Electrical-Continuing-Education-Courses/NEC-Content.php?sectionID=920.0

For example, this fixture is wet rated, and claims to be flush mount:

https://api.eurofase.com/api/product/getsspdf?itemno=41956-014&lan=English

But the light fixture itself is suspended by a rigid rod within that frame.

Any thoughts on how the code might apply to such a fixture? Would it be disallowed?

As another example, what about a fixture like this: https://www.houzz.com/products/flush-11-7x10-8-1-light-contemporary-outdoor-semi-flush-prvw-vr~178487377

As far as I can tell, it is wet-rated, but also, open from below. Is there anything that the code or wet-ratings say about the source of water (here it seems as a mainly outdoor light, they are concerned with ensuring water from above vs below)

Comments (3)

Kalcium
Original Author
11 months ago
Thanks; I had seen previous discussions here and elsewhere that suggested that flush-mounted fixtures were acceptable. My question is mostly about what qualifies as flush mounted, e.g. at what point does it stop being flush mounted and start being a pendant? For me the key language seems to be 'chain-, cable-, or cord-suspended luminaire, track lighting, pendant, or ceiling paddle fan' - do you think even a regular flush-mount light such as this one would not be allowed? https://oxygen.lighting/collections/outdoor-flush-ceiling-mount-lights-ul-wet-rated/products/quorum-1456-86-led-patio-light-kits-led-ceiling-fan-light-kit-oiled-bronze
palimpsest
11 months ago
Basically the reasoning is so that any fixture will be out of reach if you stand on the rim of the bathtub, so 8 feet from the rim of the tub to the bottom of any fixture. Imagine standing on the rim of the tub, and losing your balance. You would try to grab at something to prevent yourself from falling and you could either hit a hanging fixture and break it or pull the entire fixture down. Why you would stand on the rim when the bathtub is full of water, I don't know, but people do all kinds of stuff.
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chispa
11 months ago
To stand on the rim of a modern free-standing tub you would have to be part of the Flying Wallenda's family!

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