NEC Code and bath outlets and lighting
Doing a bath addition and I’ve run a home-run circuit for the bath outlet.
Does the NEC code preclude me from tapping the line-side of the GFI circuit to power the bath light?
thanks
lek
Doing a bath addition and I’ve run a home-run circuit for the bath outlet.
Does the NEC code preclude me from tapping the line-side of the GFI circuit to power the bath light?
thanks
lek
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Replies
If you are running a 20 amp line strickly to that one bathroom then it can also be used for lights and fan in that bathroom.
Bill,
I'm not an electrician, but I do alot of wiring under the watchful eye of my cousin (hes a master electrician). I was of the understanding that the only thing on the bath gfi circiuit is the outlet or if multiple baths you can connect all bath plugs to the one circuit.
I may have misunderstood my cousin. I've been installing exclusive bath gfi circuits for a while now.
"if multiple baths you can connect all bath plugs to the one circuit."That is one option, but there is the other option of having lights and fan on the same circuit, but only serving that ONE bathroom.AS to the lights or fan being protected by the GFCI (load side) in general it does not have to be. However, if they are installed in a wet location (over a tub or shower) and the installation instructions require GFCI protection the connect it on the load side.If, at all practical, it is best if you can have at least one light on the the line side so that it does not go dark if the GFCI trips.
You can tap the line or load side of the GFI to power any light or fan in that bathroom only. I recomend you tap the load side for anything above the shower or tub and the line side for eveything else. This way you won't be in the dark if the GFI trips.
And remember, if you run the lights and fan from that bathroom circuit, then that circuit cannot serve any other bathroom.
Sparky,
That's the way I've done all my other baths, but while reading the NEC 2005 210.11(C) 3 and looking over the suggested schematics shown in the NFPA Handbook, I started doubting my installations. The local inspector has never questioned it, but that doesn't prove anything either.
It doesn't seem forbidden, but it's not preferred from what I can tell.
lek