Landscape Lighting that meets code

[Dan-H]

I am not an electrical contractor, nor do I play one on TV, but I am reading about the changes to the NEC and wondering what options I have for landscape lighting within the 5 foot horizontal barrier of my pool tied in with my easy touch 8.

The link and snippet below are one of many online posts where the NEC changes are described.

excerpt: from here...

Introducing Voltage Around the Pool Area

For decades, the National Electrical Code (NEC) prohibited underground wiring to be located under a pool and wiring for lighting fixtures in the zone that extends 5-feet horizontally from the inside wall of a pool. The exception was always to allow wiring in that location if it supplies...

www.ecmag.com

For decades, the National Electrical Code (NEC) prohibited underground wiring to be located under a pool and wiring for lighting fixtures in the zone that extends 5-feet horizontally from the inside wall of a pool. The exception was always to allow wiring in that location if it supplies electrical equipment incidental to the pool, such as an underwater light fixture. Now, everything has changed. With the adoption of the 2014 NEC comes a change that allows certain light fixtures to be installed around the water's edge—outside of the pool if installed a certain way. That's correct; these luminaires may be located where one can just reach out and touch them.

My easy touch 8 has one available circuit.
If I add an additional relay to the load center, it can switch any voltage as long as the proper relay is use and the proper loads are switched. I'm thinking to have the Easytouch manage a stand-alone electical outlet which will in turn switch power to the landscape lighting transformer.

Has anyone done this? Are there suggestions on the transformer to use? I am in the planning stages but I'd love to be able to uplight some trees on the backside of my pool behind the retaining wall.

The back of the retaining wall to the fence is 5 feet total horizontal so any uplighting on these trees will be within the 5 foot zone.

Here's a picture to spruce up this post. Thanks in advance for suggestions.

 

[ajw22]

What luminaries do you plan to use? The article you linked to says:

The final requirement for the light to be allowed in this location is that the luminaire be properly listed. This sounds simple enough, but at present, I do not know of a low-voltage luminaire that does not require grounding and is listed to be within 10 feet of a pool. It is important to point out that, for low-voltage landscape lighting, secondary circuits are not permitted to be grounded (Section 411.6). But all of the listed, low-voltage fixtures that I can find have installation instructions that state, “Do not install within 10 feet (3 m) of pools, spas, or fountains.” I have searched through the numerous low-voltage luminaires on the market today, but I am unable to find one that is specifically listed to be above ground and next to a pool. Does such a luminaire exist?

The article also concludes with:

When it comes to wiring near a swimming pool, if I err, let it be on side of safety. I think that Section 680.22(B)(6) of the 2014 NEC should be stricken as a matter of practical public safety, especially taking into consideration the hazards this may pose to people who have implanted heart devices. All things considered, I feel that this new change makes the Code less safe. Even the layperson is aware of this simple truth—water and electricity do not mix. We should always strive to keep voltage sources away from the water’s edge whenever possible. And no matter what, always be absolutely certain that the swimming pool is properly bonded as outlined in Article 680.26.

 

[Dan-H]

I am in the research and planning phase trying to identify what, if anything, will work in this area. I have not chosen anything and was looking for guidance and suggestions and to see if anyone else has found a solution.

I appreciate your sharing that snippet. I am in agreement to err on the side of safety.