Pool and Spa Lighting Testing

Prevent Hazardous Situations with Lighting for Wet Environments

Testing and certification of lighting for swimming pools, spas, and fountains are essential for life safety, regulatory compliance, and legal installation. Certified aquatic lighting systems are engineered to prevent electrical shock, ensure waterproof integrity, and meet strict electrical, structural, and environmental safety requirements. Whether for use in hot tubs, swimming pools, fountains, or spas, luminaires must meet industry specifications and safety standards for compliance that enables market access, inspector approval, permit issuance, and long-term operational reliability in high-risk water environments.

Aquatic Lighting Testing and Certification Matrix

Safety / Compliance	What Is Tested	Purpose
Electrical Safety	Insulation, isolation, leakage current, grounding, bonding	Prevents shock, electrocution, and electrical faults
Low-Voltage Operation	Transformer isolation, driver safety, power separation	Reduces electrocution risk in wet environments
Waterproofing / Ingress Protection	Submersion, pressure, seal integrity, enclosure protection	Prevents water intrusion and internal failures
Thermal Safety	Heat dissipation, overheating protection, fail-safe shutdown	Prevents thermal hazards and material degradation
Mechanical & Structural Integrity	Impact resistance, housing strength, lens durability, mounting systems	Prevents breakage and exposure of live components
Chemical Resistance	Chlorine, saltwater, bromine, cleaning agents	Ensures long-term material stability and seal performance
Public Health Protection	Material safety, aquatic environment compatibility	Protects users in public aquatic facilities
Regulatory Acceptance	Certification labeling, traceability, documentation	Enables legal installation and inspection approval

Dry-Niche vs Wet-Niche Lighting

The two main types of pool and spa lighting – dry-niche and wet-niche – each have their own set of requirements. Dry-niche lighting must provide drainage, below the lowest live part, to prevent accumulation of water within the luminaire. Wet-niche lighting, however, should provide at least four openings to permit free passage of water into the wet-niche luminaire housing.

Feature	Wet-Niche	Dry-Niche
Fixture location	Inside pool wall, underwater	Outside pool wall
Water contact	Direct contact	No direct contact
Risk level	Highest	Lower than wet-niche
Waterproofing criticality	Extreme	High
Electrical isolation	Critical	Critical
Maintenance access	More complex	Easier
Certification intensity	Very high	High

For both, hazardous electrical shock is the greatest safety concern. To protect consumers, manufacturers are required to meet industry standards, with the products ready to be installed in accordance with all applicable local and national codes, such as the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70). While navigating these requirements can be a complex process, Intertek can assist in getting products to market faster.