Light Above Kitchen Sink Code
In most jurisdictions a circuit that supplies only lighting fixtures does not require gfci protection but it may be required if a wall switch is located near the sink.
Light above kitchen sink code. The minimum pipe size for the drain parts under the sink and including the p trap is 1 1 2 inch. Popular places for accent lighting include above an exposed countertop like an island or peninsula over the kitchen sink or over a table in the case of an eat in kitchen. The national kitchen and bath association recommends a basic recessed lighting fixture for over the. If you have a light fixture over the kitchen sink or any wet area there is a risk of splashing.
Somebody wanted a bathroom look in the kitchen but the kitchen is a bit screwy look at the receptacle behind the sink. Kitchen lighting kitchen wiring kitchen plumbing. Norcal 170249 10 30 07 08 57 am. I am a building inspector and the light would be code legal for over a kitchen sink.
Electrical code basics and recommended practices for kitchen renovation often seem like pointless rules cooked up in an office boardroom as electrical code eventually does get hammered out across conference tables. Most of it however originates from people who work in the field. For islands and peninsulas you want to select fixtures that scale correctly to the workspace. Appropriate kitchen lighting requires a strong mix of task lighting to support food preparation following recipes cleaning the space etc.
Flush mount lighting and recessed fixtures take advantage of the limited available space found above the kitchen sink. Electricians contractors and other industry professionals. Over the sink light. For this reason it s not a bad idea to install a 20 amp circuit for the general lighting use even though code only requires a 15 amp circuit.
Most building codes specify the distance a light fixture must be from a water source. Stand at the sink and lean over a little like you or the tallest member of the household do when washing dishes then place it about 3 above your head at lowest. The potential for water inadvertently splashing onto your light fixture over the kitchen sink is an important consideration. For a kitchen sink that has a window or open space above it ceiling lighting is your best bet.
In some circumstances they are not required due to the adequate lighting provided at the ceiling area adjacent to the sink area. I think two would work better than one then your head would not cause a shadow. If the height of the ceiling above the. I have one but hardly use it unless a certain task requires the additional lighting.