Landscape Lighting near swimming Pools - 2014 NEC 680 changes Pool Electrical Expert states

Prior versions of the National Electric Code (NEC) forbid the installation of low voltage landscape lighting within 10 feet of the water's edge.  The 2014 NEC has made changes to Section 680 to allow landscape lighting to be located less than 5 feet from the water's edge, with certain conditions.

2014 NEC Changes

First of all, the light fixture must be of a design that does not require GROUNDING (that third green internal conductor in the power cord).  The new provision does not address metal light fixtures, but assume that if it is metal, that it will need to be externally BONDED to the grid.  Bootleg or homemade bonding attachments are not permitted, so if it is not supplied by the manufacturer, then that fixture is probably not permitted.

The conductors must be ran inside of a conduit - direct burial near the pool is forbidden elsewhere in the NEC.  Granted, at the end, the conduit must stub up to allow the wire to exit.  A compression seal on the end of the conduit will secure and seal the cord's exit.  

Buried wire nut or underground connections are also forbidden.  All of the electrical connections must terminate in an approved pool lighting junction box.  A typical above grade pool lighting junction box would work fine.  One can also use an in-deck junction box, provided it is filled with re-enterable potting compound to prevent water entry.

The transformer must be specifically rated and listed for low voltage lighting around swimming pools (not just fountains).  If you utilize a transformer designed for underwater 12 volt pool lighting, then you're guaranteed success.

Local Adoption - Lead Time

Thought the 2014 NEC has been approved on the national level, regional and local authorities usually operate on versions that are 1 or 2 generations older.  This is because their government councils have not adopted the current versions.  Local authorities have the options of not accepting code changes or making the code more restrictive.  So, before specifying or installing lighting close to the water's edge, be sure to check with the local building department.

Reference:
NEC 2014, Section 680.22(B)(6) states: “Low-Voltage Luminaires. Listed low-voltage luminaires not requiring grounding, not exceeding the low-­voltage contact limit, and supplied by listed transformers or power supplies that comply with 680.23(A)(2) are permitted to be located less than 1.5 m (5 ft) from the inside walls of the pool.” 
NEC 2014, Section 680.23(A)(2) states that transformers used for low-voltage lighting around pools shall incorporate isolated windings with an ungrounded secondary and a grounded metal barrier between the primary or secondary or double insulation between the primary and secondary windings and shall be listed for swimming pool lighting.


Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal 
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa 
www.AquaticTechnology.com 
International Swimming Pool Consulting and Design, Aquatic Consulting, Watershape Consultants, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Design, Landscape Architecture, Construction Management 
Office: 408-776-8220 
Email: info@aquatictechnology.com 

Major Markets Serviced: San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.

Indoor Swimming Pool Design Architect Aquascape Consulting Dehumidification Vapor Barrier Moisture Control

Why your indoor pool project requires an aquatic consultant who specializes in indoor pools.

Learning Curve

People think that they can invent inexpensive solutions to the issues that plague indoor swimming pools.  And, I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but they have all been tried before and they have all failed.   

Do not waste your time and money on "things that might work."  The key to a healthy and safe indoor pool is dehumidification and controlling vapor transmission.

Vapor Barrier

 A vapor barrier exists to prevent the transmission of water vapor (microscopic droplets of water) into the building envelope.  Once that occurs, many terrible things happen to the building and occupants:

black mold
corrosion of wiring
rusting pipes
dry rot
short circuit of electrical components
water damage
soggy drywall
decay of building fasteners, brackets and structural elements
respiratory problems:
     pneumonia
     asthma
     Legionnaire's Disease
     upper respiratory ailments

Controlling Vapor

The main key to controlling the moisture in the air (humidity), is to remove it.  While pool covers, temperature control and ventilation are important, together or by themselves they cannot mitigate the water vapor that will emit from the pool.  Like gravity, it cannot be prevented or turned off.

However, once into the environment, the humidity can be controlled.  Dehumidifiers dry the air and return the dried into the envelope.  Provided the natatorium has a properly installed vapor barrier, the moisture ends there.

Mechanical Engineer and HVAC Contractor

You do not want to hire an mechanical engineer or HVAC contractor who is not experienced with indoor pools.  Though there are many reference sources available for them, you do not want them learning or experimenting on your project.  

This is as much as a science, as it is an art.  Though dehumidification ducting and systems may be sized properly, installing the registers, returns or controls in the incorrect location will negate the efficiency of the entire system.

It's been done before

Because you don't want to spend the money on a dehumidification system, don't think that you have struck upon an alternative solution.

Every "bright idea" has been tried:
     skylights
     sliding doors and windows
     heaters
     pool covers
     A/C vents 
     fans
     Heated glass
     screened rooms
     moveable hydraulic floors
     heated pool decks

The ONLY solutions to controlling the humidity in the room are a dehumidification system, building an outdoor pool or leaving the pool empty.

Experience can save you a bundle on the learning curve.


Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
www.AquaticTechnology.com
International Swimming Pool Consulting and Design, Aquatic Consulting, Watershape Consultants, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Design, Landscape Architecture, Construction Management
Office: 408-776-8220
Email: info@aquatictechnology.com
Major Markets Serviced:
San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.