Where to Find Luminaires, Lampholders, and Lamps in the Code
Article 410 Luminaires, Lampholders, and Lamps Article 410 covers various types of lighting equipment and installations, from electric discharge lamps to decorative lighting and accessories. (See Article 600 for coverage of sign and outline lighting.)
I. General (410.1 Through 410.8)
This Part provides an overview and definitions. Section 410.5 requires that luminaires and lampholders have no live parts normally exposed to contact. Section 410.6 requires that all luminaries and lampholders be listed.
II. Luminaire Locations (410.10 Through 410.18)
This Part covers installation requirements for specific locations, such as bathtub and shower areas or show windows. It contains requirements protecting against ignition of combustible materials, and protecting against shock hazard.
III. Provisions at Luminaire Outlet Boxes, Canopies, and Pans (410.20 Through 410.24)
Sections 410.20 through 410.24 deal with space for conductors, temperature limits, outlet box coverings, and protection of combustible wall or ceiling finishes. Special requirements for connecting and accessing electric-discharge luminaires are contained in 422.24.
IV. Luminaire Supports (410.30 Through 410.36)
This Part covers support of luminaires by outlet boxes, metal poles, suspended ceiling systems, and trees. Section 410.30(B) provides the conditions under which metal poles are permitted to contain conductors or support luminaires.
V. Grounding (410.40 Through 410.46)
This Part requires that exposed metal parts of fixtures be connected to an equipment grounding conductor, insulated from the equipment grounding conductor, or inaccessible to unqualified personnel. It also references other NEC sections where one can find requirements for such grounding.
VI. Wiring of Luminaires (410.48 Through 410.68)
Most of this Part deals with the wiring of fixtures themselves, rather than with branch-circuit wiring methods to supply luminaires. However, 410.64 permits luminaires to be used as raceways for circuit conductors, provided the luminaires are listed and marked for that purpose.
VII. Construction of Luminaires (410.70 Through 410.86)
This part deals with the design, materials, ratings, mechanical strength, and marking of luminaries, including portable luminaires.
VIII. Installation of Lampholders (410.90 Through 410.96)
This Part outlines the requirements for installation of lampholders. Section 410.90 requires that lampholders of the screw shell type be installed for use as lampholders only, to prohibit the use of lamp-socket adapters that contain nongrounding-type receptacles.
IX. Construction of Lampholders (410.100 and 410.102)
This part requires that lampholders be insulated and constructed so that on/off switching occurs in the phase conductor, which is connected to the center contact.
X. Lamps and Auxiliary Equipment (410.103 and 410.104)
This Part permits high-wattage incandescent lamps to be installed only in luminaires specifically designed for them. Ballasts of electric-discharge lighting that operates at 240 or 480 volts are required to have switching devices that simultaneously disconnect all conductors.
XI. Special Provisions for Flush and Recessed Luminaires (410.110 Through 410.117)
This Part covers temperature, clearance, and installation requirements for flush and recessed luminaries, so as not to expose surrounding combustible building materials to unsafe temperatures.
XII. Construction of Flush and Recessed Luminaires (410.118 Through 410.122)
According to this Part, luminaires must not expose surrounding combustible building materials to unsafe temperatures and must themselves be constructed to resist harmful effects of high temperatures.
XIII. Special Provisions for Electric-Discharge Lighting Systems of 1000 Volts or Less (410.130 Through 410.139)
This part requires that luminaires be installed in such a way that they don't expose surrounding combustible building materials to unsafe temperatures. One common protective technique outlined is the use of thermally protected ballasts that automatically disconnect themselves if their temperatures exceed a pre-set limit.
XIV. Special Provisions for Electric-Discharge Lighting Systems of More than 1000 Volts (410.140 Through 410.147)
This part covers electric-discharge lighting for general illumination operating at a supply voltage of 1000 to 7500 volts to ground. High-voltage electric-discharge luminaires are not permitted to be used in or on dwelling occupancies and must be marked with their operating voltage.
XV. Lighting Track (410.151 Through 410.155)
This Part covers construction, installation, and permitted locations for lighting track. Lighting track fittings are not permitted to contain general-purpose receptacles, but may have receptacles intended for the connection of track lighting heads. Lighting track connected load varies with the number of lighting heads installed.
XVI. Decorative Lighting and Similar Accessories (410.160)
This Part requires that decorative lighting and accessories, such as holiday lights, be listed in accordance with 590.3(B).
ARTICLE 411 Lighting Systems Operating at 30 Volts or Less
Article 411 is not divided into parts.
Article 411 covers listing, assembly, location, and insulation of lighting systems and their associated components that operate at 30 volts or less. Lighting systems covered by the rules of Article 411 can be those in both outdoor locations such as pools or fountains, and those in indoor locations used as decorative or accent lighting.
Other Locations
portable arc lamps 520.61, 530.17
near bathtubs or showers 551.53(B)
branch circuit computation, size, voltage 210.6, 210.19(A), 210.23, 220.12, 220.14, 220.18
no-niche luminaries 680.23(D), 680.24(B), 680.26(B)(4)
overcurrent protection of wires and cords 240.5
installation near swimming pools and spas 680.22(C), 680.23, 680.26(B)(4), 680.33, 680.43(B),
680.51, 680.62(F), 680.72
wet-niche luminaries 680.23(B)
dry-niche luminaries 680.23(C)
infrared lamp industrial heating appliances 422.14, 422.48
incandescent lamps 404.14(B)(3), 511.7(B), 513.7(C), 520.72
fluorescent luminaries 210.23, 220.18(B), 240.83, 404.14(A)(1), 404.14(B)(2)