I just posted a similar question in the lighting forum. You'll see how confusing (or confused I was) the subject. Hope this helps

Here is a link that might be useful: Lighting forum; damp rated light fixtures

Thanks, oly.
I actually understand the wet/damp listing issue... but it's the pendant issue I am concerned about. pendants are specifically prohibited within that "damp zone" they were talking about. The edge of my vanity is less than 3 feet from the edge of the soaking tub. But my question is: if I find a pendant that IS Wet listed, will that trump the prohibition on pendants......

We're wrestling with a couple of different code references here. In general:

1) You need at least one light in the bathroom that is controlled by a switch located at the entrance to the bathroom.

2) Light fixtures within tub and shower spaces should be marked "suitable for damp/wet locations".

3)Hanging fixtures cannot be located within a zone of 3Â horizontally and 8Â vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold.

So just because a pendant fixture is "damp" rated and meets provision #2, it can't be installed within the tub/shower zone due to provision #3, which prohibits hanging fixtures.

Provision #2 is so fixtures in damp/wet areas do not corrode and become electrical shock/fire hazards.

Provision #3 is so that if someone is standing in the tub or in the shower and slips, they don't instinctively reach up and grab a low-hanging pendant fixture and pull it down into the water with them as they fall. Zap.

Provisionally, Mongo

Thanks, Mongo. That was what I'd finally realized this morning. looks like there is no way that pendants are going to be "legal" (or at least code-compliant) in my layout.

I think I've got all the other req's covered, though. 2 circuits: one is dedicated 20A receptacles. The other has all lighting, the radiant floor heating, and fan on it. I'm going to GFCI protect that whole circuit, I think, as well, since two of the lights on it -tub and shower recessed- need it. Don't see why not. Probably just with a GFCI breaker at the panel. Like this, except that the shower light is on the same (dimmer) switch as the other 3 recessed overheads, and the fan is on its own switch...

Believe it or not, it has something to do with preventing you from being able to stand in a bathtub of water and put a finger in a socket.

Why they don't want to prevent you from holding one hand in a sink of water and sticking your finger in the vanity fixture is beyond me.

"Believe it or not, it has something to do with preventing you from being able to stand in a bathtub of water and put a finger in a socket."

Or splashing water on a hot bulb and having it shatter, since very few pendant fixtures completely enclose the bulb.