Replies

1. 
   MikeQ | Feb 28, 2004 05:58pm | #1

   according to the Ontario Electrical code rule 12-3000 you are allowed 12 recepticles on a 15 amp circuit this is also true for incandescent 60 watt lights . The maximum you can load a circuit is 80% of rated amperage a 15 amp breaker is rated for 1800 watts 80% of this is 1440watts  12 60watt lights draw 720 watts so 12 light bases can be installed on a 15 amp 120volt circuit. 

   hope this helps

1. 
   BillHartmann | Feb 28, 2004 06:28pm | #2

   The NEC has no limit on this for residential applications, so it goes by the load and would allow 24.

   But some locals have modified the code and some inspectors have their own interpretation.

   But you never know when some one might replace the bulb with a larger one (improperaly) or the fixture might get replaced with a larger one.

   So I would not push the number to the max. !2 sounds like a "good" number.

1. 
   brownbagg | Feb 28, 2004 10:44pm | #3

   Bill is right, no limit to how many, But think about, how many will be on at one time. So you can put 30 if you want but you can only turn on 12. same with plugs, you can have as many as you want but you can only use a certain amount of watt, I cheeted. I put bedrooms on one, bathroom on one, living room/den on one and kitchern laundry room on one.

   Code...... bathroom light and plug cannot be on same circuit, bathroom light can only be on bathroom light. you can combined two bathroom/ lights but you cannot combine bathroom with bedroom lights.

1. 
   BillHartmann | Feb 29, 2004 08:19am | #6

   "Code...... bathroom light and plug cannot be on same circuit, bathroom light can only be on bathroom light. you can combined two bathroom/ lights but you cannot combine bathroom with bedroom lights"

   That is not exactly right.

   A bathroom receptacle requires a 20 amp circuit.

   You have two choices. You can run one 20 amp circuit to the receptacle in all of the bathrooms (even if you have 5 or 10) and have nothing else on that circuit.

   Or you can power the recptacle(s), light(s), and fan from that 20 amp circuit, but one for that one bathroom.

   That is the NEC.

   Howeveer, I know that the inspector in your area makes up his own rules depending on which alternate thursday he does the inspection.

1. 
   brownbagg | Feb 29, 2004 05:41pm | #7

   (210-52d) separate 20 anp circuit required for bathrooms ( no Lights)

2. 
   BillHartmann | Feb 29, 2004 06:32pm | #8

   What version of the code that are you working from?

   99NEC 210-52(d) only requires a wall receptacle within 3ft of outside edge of each basin. And if refers to section 210-8(s)(1) which just requires that the receptacle be GFI protected.

   Section 210-11 lists the required branch circuits.

   "(3) Bathroom Branch Circuits. In additon of the number of branch cirkcuits required by other parts of this section, at least one additional 20-ampere branch circuit to supply the bathroom receptacles outlets(s). Such circuitrs shall have no other outlets."

   "Exception: Where the 20-ampere circuits supplies a SINGLE BATHROOM (emphasis added), outlets for other equipment within the same bathroom shall be permitted to be supplied in accordance with Section 210-23(a)."

   210-23(a) just specifies the size of outlets allowed on different circuits.

   Note an outlet according to NEC-speak is anyplace a "point on the wiring systems at which current is taken to supply utilizaiton equipment". That includes fans and lights, not just receptacles.

2. 
   Piffin | Feb 28, 2004 11:02pm | #5

   I know the Q is for 60W bulbs but you make a good point. I have "fixed a lot of ceiling fixtures where the connector tab has deformed from the excessive heat where somebody ignored the warning label that says, "This fixture is not inteneded or designed for bulbs exceeding 60Watts"

   Another item here - We do a lot of ceiling pot lights which have their own individual thermal cutout so individually, they are safe, but had one where six fixtures with 90W floods were put on a dimmer switch. The switch itself got hot and burned out in a year or so. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   JeffBuck | Feb 28, 2004 11:02pm | #4

   what the others said ..

   and ..

   my electrician uses a rule of thumb of 10 on a circuit.

   Like they already said .. usually 12 will "fit" ...

   so 10's a nice safe round number ...

   add things up first to be safe .. then back off a bit for security.

   Jeff

   Buck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

        Artistry in Carpentry                

3. 
   JohnSprung | Mar 01, 2004 11:12pm | #9

   Also consider checkerboarding which rooms have their lights on which circuits.  That way if a breaker trips, you'll still have a little light from adjacent rooms to find your way to the panel.

   And people are also more likely to overload plugs than lights.  If you don't mix them, the lights will be available for most of those trips to the tripped breaker.

   -- J.S.