--- title: Demystifying the 2023 NEC Section 210.70 description: NEC 210.70 covers requirements for “Lighting Outlets” and their control in specific occupancies and locations. This post clears up where 210.70 applies. image: https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Echoflex_Group_check.png --- - [ETCCONNECT](https://etcconnect.com/) - [ABOUT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/about) - [AUTHORS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/blog-authors) - [CONTACT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/contact) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ElectronicTheatreControls) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ElectronicTheatreControls) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/electronic-theatre-controls) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.youtube.com/user/ETCVideoLibrary) [![EtCetera_319x104](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EtCetera_319x104.png?width=319&height=104&name=EtCetera_319x104.png "EtCetera_319x104")](https://blog.etcconnect.com) [![ETC Blog](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EtCetera_319x104.png?width=319&height=104&name=EtCetera_319x104.png "ETC Blog")](https://blog.etcconnect.com) - [SPOTLIGHT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/spotlight) - [ETC CULTURE](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/etc-culture) - [GEAR](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/gear) - [LEARN](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/learn) - [ODDS & ENDS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/odds-ends) - [BRIGHT IDEAS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/bright-ideas) Search ## [![blog-header](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-header.png?width=476&height=155&name=blog-header.png "blog-header")](https://www.etcconnect.com) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ElectronicTheatreControls) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ElectronicTheatreControls) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/electronic-theatre-controls) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.youtube.com/user/ETCVideoLibrary) [✕](https://blog.etcconnect.com/demystifying-the-2023-nec-section-210-70#gwen-offcanvas-primary) - [SPOTLIGHT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/spotlight) - [ETC CULTURE](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/etc-culture) - [GEAR](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/gear) - [LEARN](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/learn) - [ODDS & ENDS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/odds-ends) - [BRIGHT IDEAS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/bright-ideas) # Demystifying the 2023 NEC Section 210.70 ![Wendy Russell](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WendyRussell.png?width=34&height=34&name=WendyRussell.png)By [Wendy Russell](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/wendy-russell) 25 May 2023 ![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Echoflex_Group_check.png) NEC section 210.70 covers the requirements for “Lighting Outlets” and their control in certain specific occupancies and locations. Recent internet articles have created some confusion regarding this section. This blog post is meant to clear up where 210.70 applies. Revisions in the 2023 edition of the NEC resulted in the following requirement being added to 210.70: “*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.”* This new language, because it appears only in the opening paragraph of 210.70, creates ambiguity on exactly what constitutes “The switch…”, and could lead the reader to erroneously believe the new requirement renders noncompliant all battery powered switches that lack the ability to automatically energize lighting outlets upon battery failure. However the first sentence under 210.70 states: “*Lighting outlets shall be installed where specified in 210.70(A), (B), and (C).*” In fact, these subsections cover only specific occupancies and locations that would be considered hazardous if rendered dark. Location 210.70(A) is for dwellings; (B) is for guest rooms and suites; (C) is for attics and underfloor spaces, utility rooms, and basements within all occupancies. Most commercial spaces, houses of worship, schools, etc., do not fall under these specified locations. Therefore, lighting systems with battery-powered switches and wall-mounted controllers can be installed in them without the need to turn on the lighting outlet upon battery failure. Public Inputs are now open for the 2026 Code cycle, with the closing date being September 7, 2023. This topic is likely to result in several PI’s being submitted for the 2026 Code cycle in an effort to editorially clarify the wording in the 2023 edition. We encourage anyone with interest in this subject and who would like revisions to occur in the 2026 code to [submit Public Input](https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=70). - - - 0 [#ODDS & ENDS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/odds-ends) [#LEARN](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/learn) ### The Darkroom Creative Spec Hog 4-18 and SolaPix on Walker Hayes Tour [Previous article](https://blog.etcconnect.com/darkroom-creative-hog-solapix-walker-hayes) ### Covenant Communications Packs Cornerstone Church with HES Lighting [Next article](https://blog.etcconnect.com/covenant-communications-packs-cornerstone-church-with-hes-lighting) [Wendy Russell](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/wendy-russell) ![Wendy Russell](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WendyRussell.png?width=180&height=180&name=WendyRussell.png) Wendy Russell is Senior Compliance Engineer at ETC. Prior to ETC she had a long career at UL, leaving there with the title of Staff Engineer. Wendy is also the principal USITT representative on NEC Code Panel 15, which covers entertainment industry articles of the NEC. #### You may also like [![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/ColorSource-PAR_silver-750x500.jpg)](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/11/what-is-a-directly-controlled-luminaire-and-why-should-i-care) [Lighting fixtures](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/lighting-fixtures) ### [What is a Directly Controlled Emergency Luminaire, and why should I care?](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/11/what-is-a-directly-controlled-luminaire-and-why-should-i-care) By [Steve Terry](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/steve-terry) 17-Apr-2023 Recent changes in the 2023 US National Electrical Code and UL standards have significantly changed the rules for emergency lighting in the US. We explore those changes in this blog. [Read More](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/11/what-is-a-directly-controlled-luminaire-and-why-should-i-care) [![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_3672-750x500.jpg)](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2019/06/why-cant-i-use-a-125-250v-pin-connector-to-feed-a-208v-luminaire-in-north-america) [FEATURED](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/featured) ### [Can I use a 125/250V connector for a 208V luminaire in North America?](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2019/06/why-cant-i-use-a-125-250v-pin-connector-to-feed-a-208v-luminaire-in-north-america) By [Steve Terry](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/steve-terry) 6-Jun-2019 The most common connector in the entertainment industry in North America may be the ubiquitous 20A stage pin connector. That connector has been around in one form or another for more than 60 years.... [Read More](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2019/06/why-cant-i-use-a-125-250v-pin-connector-to-feed-a-208v-luminaire-in-north-america) [![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/SanJoseConventionCenter_SanJoseCA_11072017_116-750x500.jpg)](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2019/02/emergency-luminaires) [Emergency Lighting](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/emergency-lighting) ### [Can Emergency luminaires be cord-and-plug connected?](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2019/02/emergency-luminaires) By [Steve Terry](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/steve-terry) 7-Feb-2019 With the many recent changes to the US National Electrical Code (NEC) regarding emergency lighting, I am often asked whether an emergency luminaire is allowed to be cord-and-plug connected. The... [Read More](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2019/02/emergency-luminaires) - [ETCCONNECT](https://etcconnect.com/) - [About](https://blog.etcconnect.com/about) - [Authors](https://blog.etcconnect.com/blog-authors) - [Links](https://blog.etcconnect.com/links) - [Contact us](https://blog.etcconnect.com/contact) [Privacy Policy & Legal Notices](https://www.etcconnect.com/Privacy-Policy-Terms-of-Use-and-Acceptable-Use.aspx) [CA Transparency Act & Transparency in Coverage](https://www.etcconnect.com/About/California-Supply-Chain-Transparency-Act.aspx) [Do Not Share My Personal Info](https://www.etcconnect.com/Do-Not-Share-My-Personal-Info/) [CA Privacy Rights](https://www.etcconnect.com/CA-Privacy-Rights/) ![ETC blog](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/ETC-logo_footer-wh.png)   ![ETC 50 anniversary](https://www.etcconnect.com/uploadedimages/Main_Site/Images/50yr_160x80.png "ETC 50 anniversary") [![ETC social networks](https://www.etcconnect.com/uploadedFiles/Main_Site/Images/social_Footer.png "ETC social networks")](https://www.etcconnect.com/Get-connected.aspx) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Wendy Russell", "url" : "https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/wendy-russell" }, "dateModified" : "2025-06-12T14:01:31.216Z", "datePublished" : "2023-05-25T16:35:52.000Z", "headline" : "Demystifying the 2023 NEC Section 210.70", "image" : [ "https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Echoflex_Group_check.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.etcconnect.com/demystifying-the-2023-nec-section-210-70", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Logos%20-%20Icons%20-%20Design%20Elements/ETC_4c.png" }, "name" : "ETC" } } ```