UL Requirements for Lighting Indoor Pools

Markings

• Lighting fixtures must have markings to alert the customer to the type of water they are suitable to use in. A light that is only safe to use in freshwater will be labeled "Fresh Water Only," while a light that is safe to use in both freshwater and salt water will be marked "Salt Water or Fresh Water." Some lights are intended to be operated only when submersed in water; these lights will have a caution label that instructs the user to submerse the light before turning it on. This label must be visible after the light is installed.

Dry-Niche Wall Lighting

• Dry-niche lights are designed to have their components and power connection installed and maintained outside the pool, in a passageway or tunnel that runs along the length of the pool in the walls or floor. Dry-niche components are not designed to be covered with water. Most lights are intended to be installed in the wall not less than 18 inches below the water line, unless the instructions state that they are suitable to install on the floor of the pool.

Wet-Niche Wall Lighting

• Wet-niche lights are designed to be installed completely on the inside of the pool wall. They must be installed in a forming shell and will be surrounded by water. Wet-niche lights should be installed not less than 18 inches below the water level on the wall of the pool unless otherwise noted in the instructions. The light will be marked with the type of forming shell it has been safety tested with to ensure safe operation. Wet-niche lights come equipped with a flexible cord at least 12 feet long that allows the light to be removed from the shell and brought to the surface of the water for maintenance. Any excess length should be trimmed off to limit the risk of damage to the cord or light.

Forming Shells

• Each forming shell is marked with the light that it has been tested with and should be used with these light fixtures only. The design of the forming shell allows for the conduit supply line from the junction box to be connected to it to provide power to the light fixture.

No-Niche Wall Lighting

• No-niche light fixtures are designed to be permanently fixed to the wall of the swimming pool. The mounting bracket is affixed to the wall, and the light fixture is connected by a flexible cord at least 12 feet long. The cord allows the light to be brought to the surface of the pool and repaired and any excess cord should be trimmed. No-niche lights are designed to be installed no less than 18 inches below the water level on the wall unless the manufacturer has specified that the light is appropriate for use on the floor of a pool.

No-Niche Mounting Brackets

• No-niche mounting brackets are marked with the light fixtures they are approved for use within the same manner as forming shells are. Also the same as forming shells, a mounting bracket is designed to allow a supply conduit line to connect to it.

Fiber-optic Lighting

• Fiber-optic light fixtures are not approved for use under water but are suitable for use at least five feet from the wall of the swimming pool. These lights are intended to be installed above the level where splashed water collects and stands.

Supply Circuit Current Rating

• Each type of light fixture is labeled with the voltage and current rating it has been approved for. Unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer, UL recommends the following supply current ratings: For fixtures that are labeled 15 volts or less with a current rating of 25 amps or less, the supply current rating should be 25 amps. A fixture with a voltage rating of 110 to 120 volts and a current rating of 16 amps or less should have a supply current rating of 20 amps. For fixtures with a voltage rating of 110 to 120 volts and a current rating of more than 16 amps but less than 24 amps, the supply current rating should be 30 amps.