Question

Where can the specific requirements for grounding lighting fixtures be found in the NEC code?

Answer 1

In previous editions of the NEC, the rules addressing the bonding of luminaires have been a hodgepodge of requirements in an illogical arrangement. Revisions in the 2011 NEC resulted in a more user-friendly Code, but no technical changes were made.

Luminaires must be connected to an equipment grounding conductor of a type recognized in 250.118. If of the wire type, the circuit equipment grounding conductor must be sized in accordance with 250.122, based on the rating of the overcurrent device [410.44].

Exception No. 1:If an equipment grounding conductor isn’t present in the outlet box for a luminaire, the luminaire must be made of insulating material and must not have any exposed conductive parts.

Exception No. 2:Replacement luminaires can be installed in an outlet box that doesn’t contain an equipment grounding conductor if the luminaire is connected to one of the following:

1. Grounding electrode system [250.50].
2. Grounding electrode conductor.
3. Panelboard equipment grounding terminal.
4. Service neutral conductor within the service equipment enclosure.

Exception No. 3:GFCI-protected replacement luminaires aren’t required to be connected to an equipment grounding conductor of a type recognized in 250.118 if no equipment grounding conductor exists at the outlet box.

This is similar to the rule for receptacle replacements in locations where an equipment grounding conductor isn’t present in the outlet box [406.4(D)(3)].