FAQ
34
Article 210 Branch Circuits Not Over 1000 Volts ac, 1500
Volts dc, Nominal
210.70 Lighting Outlets Required. Lighting outlets shall
be installed where specied in 210.70(A), (B), and (C).
The switch or wall-mounted control device shall not rely
exclusively on a battery unless a means is provided for
automatically energizing the lighting outlets upon
battery failure.
(A) Dwelling Units…
(1) Habitable Rooms, Kitchens, Laundry Areas, and
Bathrooms. At least one lighting outlet controlled by a
listed wall-mounted control device shall be installed in
every habitable room, kitchen, laundry area, and bathroom.
The wall-mounted control device shall be located near an
entrance to the room on a wall.
Exception No. 1: In other than kitchens, laundry areas, and bathrooms, one
or more receptacles controlled by a listed wall-mounted control device shall
be permitted in lieu of lighting outlets.
Exception No. 2: Lighting outlets shall be permitted to be controlled by
occupancy sensors that are (1) in addition to listed wall-mounted control
devices or (2) located at a customary wall switch location and equipped with
a manual override that will allow the sensor to function as a wall switch.
Expert Analysis
A new sentence has been added to clarify the need
to support illumination upon failure of a control device
powered exclusively by a battery to insure safe egress.
The failure mode of a battery powered device must
ensure illumination. The new sentence is included to
permit battery powered control where the lighting
outlets are automatically energized upon battery failure.
A revision has been made to clarify that laundry areas
be illuminated, as the use of these areas often result in
the occupant carrying clothing and baskets. The area
should also have a lighting means other than the options
provided by a switched receptacle.
continued from page 33
Material taken from the National Electric Code
®
is reprinted with permission
from NFPA 70
®
, 2023 edition. National Electrical Code
®
, Copyright 2022,
National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA. All rights reserved.
NEC
®
Text
continued on page 36