410.176 Locations Not Permitted.

Lighting equipment identified for horticultural use shall not be installed as lighting for general illumination unless such use is indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Lighting equipment identified for horticultural use shall not be installed as lighting for general illumination unless such use is indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions.

Code Change Summary: New code sections on horticultural lighting and related equipment.

NEC Section 410.176 provides the locations not permitted for horticultural lighting equipment.

Some lighting types are suitable for plant growth but not suitable for normal area illumination intended for humans. There are potential hazards and photobiological effects associated with exposure to the human eye and skin with the lighting technology commonly used in horticultural lighting environments.

NEC 410.176 does not permit lighting equipment identified for horticultural use to be installed as lighting for general illumination unless such use is indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions for the listed luminaire.

Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2020 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.

2017 Code Language:

These code sections did not exist.

2020 Code Language:

N 410.176 Locations Not Permitted.

N (A) General Lighting. Lighting equipment identified for horticultural use shall not be installed as lighting for general illumination unless such use is indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions.

N (B) Installed Location. Lighting equipment identified for horticultural use shall not be installed where it is likely to be subject to physical damage or where concealed.

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410.176 Locations Not Permitted.

Below is a Real Question from our Electrical Continuing Education Courses for Electrical License Renewal:

Based on the 2020 NEC, which of the following is true?

A: All lighting equipment identified for horticultural use may also be used for normal area illumination for humans.
B: Lighting equipment identified for horticultural use shall not be concealed.
C: All lighting installed for horticultural use may serve as the emergency egress lighting.
D: Lighting equipment identified for agricultural use can be used for horticultural lighting.
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