I was reviewing NEC 680.22 and found that low voltage lights are not allowed within 10 ft of a pool. (Low-voltage lighting systems, such as those covered by Article 411, shall not be within 10 ft of a pool, spa or hot tub even if GFCI protected [411.4]. )
However, high voltage lights with GFCI are allowed within 10 feet in some cases and can even be extended over the pool in some cases. Of course its ok to have low voltage pool lights in the walls of the pool, so why does NEC forbid low voltage lights outside or above the pool within 10 feet of the pool without exception?
It doesn't make any apparent sense to me. I have an umbrella with built in low voltage lights which extend out over the pool. Am I endangering those within the pool? How can the pool lights be safe but the overhead lights NOT be safe when they will all run at 12V from the same pool rated transformer?
However, high voltage lights with GFCI are allowed within 10 feet in some cases and can even be extended over the pool in some cases. Of course its ok to have low voltage pool lights in the walls of the pool, so why does NEC forbid low voltage lights outside or above the pool within 10 feet of the pool without exception?
It doesn't make any apparent sense to me. I have an umbrella with built in low voltage lights which extend out over the pool. Am I endangering those within the pool? How can the pool lights be safe but the overhead lights NOT be safe when they will all run at 12V from the same pool rated transformer?