Why the 18" min water depth for Pentair Spabrite?

[jetranger]

Just curious if anyone knows why the Pentair Spabrite light needs to be 18" below water level.... I'm wanting to light up a 16" water depth baja shelf with one.

Not sure if its an electrical code thing, a glare thing, or whatever else.

Thank you

 

[JamesW]

(5) Location, Wall-Mounted Luminaires.

Luminaires mounted in walls shall be installed with the top of the luminaire lens not less than 450 mm (18 in.) below the normal water level of the pool, unless the luminaire is listed and identified for use at lesser depths.

No luminaire shall be installed less than 100 mm (4 in.) below the normal water level of the pool.

 

[PoolStored]

Just curious if anyone knows why the Pentair Spabrite light needs to be 18" below water level.... I'm wanting to light up a 16" water depth baja shelf with one.

Not sure if its an electrical code thing, a glare thing, or whatever else.

Thank you

NEC 680.23 Underwater Luminaires (A) General​

(5) Location, Wall-Mounted Luminaires
Luminaires mounted in walls shall be installed with the top of the luminaire lens not less than 450 mm (18 in.) below the normal water level of the pool, unless the luminaire is listed and identified for use at lesser depths. No luminaire shall be installed less than 100 mm (4 in.) below the normal water level of the pool.

My guess, without searching the listing is that the Pentair Spabrite is listed and identified to be installed 18".

 

[JamesW]

https://www.pentair.com/content/dam/extranet/nam/pentair-pool/residential/lighting/aqualight/manual/SpaBriteAquaLight_Underwater_Light_Owners_Manual_Spanish_English_French_English_Spanish_French.pdf

 

[jetranger]

View attachment 471747

(5) Location, Wall-Mounted Luminaires.

Luminaires mounted in walls shall be installed with the top of the luminaire lens not less than 450 mm (18 in.) below the normal water level of the pool, unless the luminaire is listed and identified for use at lesser depths.

No luminaire shall be installed less than 100 mm (4 in.) below the normal water level of the pool.

NEC 680.23 Underwater Luminaires (A) General​

(5) Location, Wall-Mounted Luminaires
Luminaires mounted in walls shall be installed with the top of the luminaire lens not less than 450 mm (18 in.) below the normal water level of the pool, unless the luminaire is listed and identified for use at lesser depths. No luminaire shall be installed less than 100 mm (4 in.) below the normal water level of the pool.

My guess, without searching the listing is that the Pentair Spabrite is listed and identified to be installed 18".

Thank you for the replies.... any idea why code would be written like that or what the issue is? Why is the spabrite at 18", but LEDs can be less? Or, what would happen if it was installed less than 18", other than possibly not passing inspection?

Thanks again

 

[JamesW]

There are lights that can be installed at less than 18".

So, just ask the manufacturers which of their lights can be used at less than 18".

Note: 4" is the minimum for any light.

"While this guide should help you light any pool on your own, feel free to reach out to us with further questions at"

[email protected].

https://www.jandy.com/-/media/zodiac/global/downloads/sl/sl4572.pdf

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Pentair light

 

[JamesW]

Most likely, the inspector won't question the depth of the light.

In any case, the light should be installed as described in the light manual.

https://www.pentair.com/content/dam/extranet/nam/pentair-pool/residential/lighting/globrite/manuals/archive/globrite-color-changing-led-light-manual-english-spanish-french.pdf

 

[PoolStored]

any idea why code would be written like that or what the issue is?

NEC changes are managed by Panels. NFPA maintains the history of all the panels. Recent history, post 1974 or so, has good history of ROPs (Report on Proposals (ROP) = recommended changes and outcome from proposals). Panel 17 owns management of 680. Panel 17, 1965 has no ROP, just the code at the time. 1968 is the same, no ROP and the code INCLUDES the 18" requirement. You would likely have to find someone on the panel between 1965 and 1968 to get an answer to this question.

The first mention of the 18" in the 1971 ROP:



It gives a bit of insight on the thinking. This paragraph was on the a recommendation for definition of wet niche. Hazard and accidents and injuries noted. My opinion is the following: At the time, 120V, large format, glass lense pool lights were the norm. The area of the pool down to 18" was likely viewed as a place where your knees would hit the wall when you would pull yourself out of the pool.

Maybe I'm completely wrong, and alternatively, it might be for freeze protection...If you lower your pool water in the winter 4" below the skimmer, then the water level is ~6" lower than normal water level...leaving 12" for a freeze zone.

We may never know the answer...

 

[JamesW]

Incandescent lights get hot and they require complete water coverage to keep them cool enough.

Probably partly to ensure that the lights were not exposed to air during operation if maybe the water level fell for some reason.

If the glass is partly exposed, the glass will be exposed to thermal stress, which could crack the glass.

The part exposed would be a lot hotter than the part underwater and that causes a lot of stress.

Probably also a burn hazard if anyone came into contact with hot glass.

 

[jetranger]

Pentair light

NEC changes are managed by Panels. NFPA maintains the history of all the panels. Recent history, post 1974 or so, has good history of ROPs (Report on Proposals (ROP) = recommended changes and outcome from proposals). Panel 17 owns management of 680. Panel 17, 1965 has no ROP, just the code at the time. 1968 is the same, no ROP and the code INCLUDES the 18" requirement. You would likely have to find someone on the panel between 1965 and 1968 to get an answer to this question.

The first mention of the 18" in the 1971 ROP:

View attachment 471859

It gives a bit of insight on the thinking. This paragraph was on the a recommendation for definition of wet niche. Hazard and accidents and injuries noted. My opinion is the following: At the time, 120V, large format, glass lense pool lights were the norm. The area of the pool down to 18" was likely viewed as a place where your knees would hit the wall when you would pull yourself out of the pool.

Maybe I'm completely wrong, and alternatively, it might be for freeze protection...If you lower your pool water in the winter 4" below the skimmer, then the water level is ~6" lower than normal water level...leaving 12" for a freeze zone.

We may never know the answer...

Incandescent lights get hot and they require complete water coverage to keep them cool enough.

Probably partly to ensure that the lights were not exposed to air during operation if maybe the water level fell for some reason.

If the glass is partly exposed, the glass will be exposed to thermal stress, which could crack the glass.

The part exposed would be a lot hotter than the part underwater and that causes a lot of stress.

Probably also a burn hazard if anyone came into contact with hot glass.

You guys are the best... Thank you!

 

[Toxophilite]

Pentair light

I have MicroBrites and that's my ledge light depth.