Article 410: Luminaires (Lighting Fixtures), Lampholders, and Lamps

Table of contents:

Article 410 Luminaires (Lighting Fixtures), Lampholders, and Lamps

Article 410 Luminaires (Lighting Fixtures), Lampholders, and Lamps

I. General

410.1	Scope
410.2	Application of Other Articles
410.3	Live Parts

II. Luminaire (Fixture) Locations

410.4	Luminaires (Fixtures) in Specific Locations

(A) Wet and Damp Locations. The fixtures must be installed in a manner so that water will not enter or collect in the lampholder, wireway, etc.

(B) Corrosive Locations

(C) In Ducts or Hoods. This location is permitted only in nonresidential cooking areas and is subject to four specific conditions.

(D) Bathtub and Shower Areas. You cannot have any part of a suspended fixture (i.e., the cord, pendant chain, etc.) within 900 mm (3 ft.) horizontally and 2.5 m (8 ft.) vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold.

(E) Luminaires (Fixtures) in Indoor Sports, Mixed-Use, and All-Purpose Facilities.

410.5	Luminaires (Fixtures) Near Combustible Material

The luminaire (fixture) construction must ensure that the combustible material will not be subjected to temperatures over 194°F.

410.6	Luminaires (Fixtures) over Combustible Material

These must be unswitched lampholders. The lampholder must be at least 2.5 m (8 ft.) above the floor unless an individual switch is installed for each fixture.

410.7	Luminaires (Fixtures) in Show Windows

External wiring is not permitted except chain-supported luminaires (fixtures).

410.8	Luminaires (Fixtures) in Clothes Closets

(A) Definition. The code has a specific set of dimensions for storage space with an explanatory diagram.

(B) Luminaire (Fixture) Types Permitted. Surface-mounted or recessed incandescent or fluorescent fixtures are permitted. The incandescent fixture must have a completely enclosed lamp.

(C) Luminaire (Fixture) Types Not Permitted. Pendant luminaires (fixtures) or lampholders and incandescent luminaires (fixtures) whose lamps are not totally enclosed.

(D) Location. Surface-mounted luminaires (fixtures) can be installed on the wall above the door or on the ceiling. The clearance between the luminaire (fixture) and nearest point of storage must be 300 mm (12 in.) for an incandescent luminaire (fixture) and 150 mm (6 in.) for a fluorescent luminaire (fixture). Recessed luminaires (fixtures) can be installed in the wall or ceiling. The clearance between the luminaire (fixture) and nearest point of storage must be 150 mm (6 in.).

410.9	Space for Cove Lighting

III. Provisions at Luminaire (Fixture) Outlet Boxes, Canopies, and Pans

410.10	Space for Conductors
410.11	Temperature Limit of Conductors in Outlet Boxes
410.12	Outlet Boxes to Be Covered
410.13	Covering of Combustible Material at Outlet Boxes
410.14	Connection of Electric-Discharge Luminaires (Lighting Fixtures)

IV. Luminaire (Fixture) Supports

410.15	Supports

(A) General. Fixtures and lampholders must be securely supported. You cannot support a fixture by the screw shell of a lampholder if it weighs more than 3 kg (6 lb.) or exceeds 400 mm (16 in.) in any dimension.

(B) Metal or Nonmetallic Poles Supporting Luminaires (Lighting Fixtures). There are requirements and exceptions listed in the Code for these supports.

410.16	Means of Support

The NEC® specifies a few requirements for outlet boxes, inspection, suspended ceilings, luminaire (fixture) studs, insulating joints, raceway fittings, busways, and trees. One important requirement to note is that a fixture can be supported from an outlet box if the outlet box is required by 314.23 and complies with 314.27(A) and 314.27(B).

V. Grounding

410.17	General
410.18	Exposed Luminaire (Fixture) Parts

If the wiring system provides a means of grounding, exposed conductive parts must be grounded. If no provision for grounding is available, they must be insulated. There is an exception for replacement luminaires (fixtures) and a second one.

410.20	Equipment Grounding Conductor Attachment

A means to connect an equipment ground must be provided for a metal luminaire (fixture).

410.21	Methods of Grounding

Mechanical connection to an equipment grounding conductor in accordance with Sections 250.118 and 250.122.

VI. Luminaires (Wiring) of Fixtures

410.22	Luminaire (Fixture) WiringGeneral
410.23	Polarization of Luminaires (Fixtures)
410.24	Conductor Insulation
410.27	Pendant Conductors for Incandescent Filament Lamps
410.28	Protection of Conductors and Insulation
410.29	Cord-Connected Showcases
410.30	Cord-Connected Lampholders and Luminaires (Fixtures)
410.31	Luminaires (Fixtures) as Raceways

Normally, luminaires (fixtures) cannot be used as raceways. It is permitted, however, if the luminaire (fixture) is listed for that use.

410.32	Wiring Supplying Luminaires (Fixtures) Connected Together
410.33	Branch-Circuit Conductors and Ballasts

VII. Construction of Luminaires (Fixtures)

410.34	Combustible Shades and Enclosures
410.35	Luminaire (Fixture) Rating
410.36	Design and Material
410.37	Nonmetallic Luminaires (Fixtures)
410.38	Mechanical Strength
410.39	Wiring Space
410.42	Portable Lamps
410.44	Cord Bushings
410.45	Tests
410.46	Live Parts

VIII. Installation of Lampholders

410.47	Screw-Shell Type
410.48	Double-Pole Switched Lampholders
410.49	Lampholders in Wet or Damp Locations

IX. Construction of Lampholders

410.50	Insulation
410.52	Switched Lampholders

X. Lamps and Auxiliary Equipment

410.53	Bases, Incandescent Lamps
410.54	Electric-Discharge Lamp Auxiliary Equipment

XI. Special Provisions for Flush and Recessed Luminaires (Fixtures)

410.64	General

This type of luminaire (fixture) must comply with Sections 410.65 through 410-72.

410.65	Temperature

They must be installed so that any adjacent combustible material will not be subjected to a temperature higher than 90°C (194°F). If the luminaire (fixture) is recessed in fire-resistant construction in a fire-resistant building, the temperature restriction is increased to 150°C (302°F) if the luminaire (fixture) is approved for this service. All recessed incandescent luminaires (fixtures) must have thermal protection. This restriction is not required if the luminaire (fixture) is installed in poured concrete and is approved for this use or when the luminaire (fixture) by construction design provides characterisitics that are equivalent to thermally protected characteristics, and are identified as such.

410.66	Clearance and Installation

Recessed parts of a luminaire (fixture) that is not identified for contact with insulation must be at least 13 mm (½ in.) from combustible material and at least 75 mm (3 in.) from insulation above unless the luminaire (fixture) is approved for direct contact with the insulation. Type IC luminaires have different requirements.

410.67	Wiring

The insulation used on conductors must be suitable for the temperatures that they will be subjected to. Tap conductors can run to a box at least 300 mm (1 ft.) from the fixture. The raceway used for the tap conductor must be at least 450 mm (18 in.) long and not more than 1.8 m (6 ft.) long, be a suitable raceway or the tap conductor must be Type AC or MC cable.

XII. Construction of Flush and Recessed Luminaires (Fixtures)

410.68	Temperature
410.70	Lamp Wattage Marking
410.71	Solder Prohibited
410.72	Lampholders

XIII. Special Provisions for Electric-Discharge Lighting Systems of 1000 Volts or Less

410.73	General
410.74	Direct-Current Equipment
410.75	Open-Circuit Voltage Exceeding 300 Volts
410.76	Luminaire (Fixture) Mounting
410.77	Equipment Not Integral with Luminaire (Fixture)
410.78	Autotransformers
410.79	Switches

XIV. Special Provisions for Electric-Discharge Lighting Systems of More Than 1000 Volts

410.80	General
410.81	Control
410.82	Lamp Terminals and Lampholders
410.83	Transformer
410.84	Transformer Locations
410.85	Exposure to Damage
410.86	Marking
410.87	Switches

XV. Lighting Track

410.100	Definition
410.101	Installation

Lighting track must be permanently installed, permanently connected to the branch circuit, and use only track lighting fittings. The fittings cannot have general-purpose receptacles. The load and the branch-circuit rating cannot exceed the rating of the track. Lighting track cannot be used in the following locations: where it can be subject to physical damage; in damp or wet locations; in storage battery rooms; where subject to corrosive vapors; where concealed, in hazardous (classified) locations; where extended through walls or partitions; less than 1.5 m (5 ft.) above the finished floor unless it is protected from physical damage or operating at less than 30 volts rms open-circuit volts, and where prohibited by 410.4(D).