National Electrical Code Top Ten Tips: Article 410: Luminaires, Lampholders, and Lamps

Please note, we do quote from copyrighted material. While the NFPA does allow such quotes, it does so only for the purposes of education regarding the National Electrical Code. This article is not a substitute for the NEC.

These are the 10 NEC Article 410 items we deem most important, based on the pervasiveness of confusion and the potential costs of same.

1. You may need to comply with more stringent requirements for lights than those contained in Article 410. For example, if the illumination equipment is in a hazardous location, apply Articles 500 through 517.
    
2. No luminaire can have live parts exposed to contact.
    
3. If the location is anything but clean and dry, use a luminaire rated for that environment.
    
4. Clothes closets have special requirements. Follow them carefully. This is a key area for inspection failure. Also, DIY homeowners try to "improve upon" existing closet lighting and create a fire hazard. If you are doing residential electrical work, make a note of closet lighting conditions and make the homeowner sign off as being aware of any violations you find.
    
5. With dimming controls and other nice additions to today's lighting systems, a common code violation is insufficient box size. Canopies and outlet boxes must be of sufficient size so as not to crowd the conductors.
    
6. You cannot leave open outlet boxes in a luminaire installation. Ensure the box is covered with a canopy, lampholder, receptacle, or similar device.
    
7. Secure support of the luminaire is essential. Improper support is a leading code violation in luminaire installations. Don't use the screw shell of a lampholder to support any fixture weighing more than 6lbs.
    
8. You can use an outlet box to support a fixture.
    
9. You cannot mount luminaires into ceiling tiles (using them as support). Luminaires must be supported by frame members.
    
10. All exposed metal parts must be bonded (NEC says grounded, but means bonded--see Article 100 definitions), unless you insulate them from all metal surfaces (which is normally not practical) or they are inaccessible to unqualified personnel (meaning the NEC allows you to present a risk to qualified personnel, even though it's best not to do so for any personnel).