I am installing 3 pairs of 150W (equivalent) floodlights for my backyard in Dayton, OH - NEC 2023.
The eave overhangs the house by about a foot and has a painted plywood covering on bottom - a perfect place to mount the lights. For wife approval factor, the junction box should not surface mount - it should be recessed so the lights surface mount.
This seems to be very similar to one of the listed items in "damp" location per NEC, "roofed open porches." But if the box is recessed inside the soffit/eave, then I'd think the box is in the (unconditioned) attic space which is "not normally subject to dampness or wetness" - the definition of "dry."
If the box is not recessed, in my mind there is no question: I'd need a weatherproof box. If it is recessed, do I need a WP box or can I get away with a gasket and a wet-rated fixture? If I do need a weatherproof box, does that mean I should be wiring it with UF or something else damp-approved (like LFxC)? If NM-B is acceptable but it's a WP box, do I just caulk up the clamp or do I need to use something special? One of these 3 boxes (central, closest to the switch) ends up with 3 cables - switch, split to left box, split to right box - I've found a listed sigma 1/2" clamp that accepts 3x 14/2, but it's definitely not weatherproof.
