f

You are here

210.70(A)(1) Limitations on Battery Powered Light Switches and Laundry Area Switch

Revision/New

Change Summary

  • Battery powered light switches are allowed, but switch can’t rely exclusively on battery unless it defaults to the “ON” position upon battery failure.

    Laundry rooms added to the list of rooms that are required to have light switches.

NEC®Text

Article 210 Branch Circuits Not Over 1000 Volts ac, 1500 Volts dc, Nominal
210.70 Lighting Outlets Required. Lighting outlets shall be installed where specified 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.

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.

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.

Figure 1

Leviton Note: The Leviton solution provided below relates to Leviton’s current line of battery switches. PLEASE NOTE that at the time this guide was printed these devices DO NOT default to the “ON” position when the battery dies.

Figure 2
Figure 3

Browse by Application