Replies

1. 
   jrnbj | Oct 29, 2008 10:25pm | #1

   Sounds absolutely correct to me, but one of our resident electricians should be along shortly to confirm or deny my opinion....;-)

2. 
   Henley | Oct 29, 2008 10:57pm | #2

   Another not well informed opinion here.
   I believe the outlets for the bath have to be on their own dedicated circuit.
   Seams like ganging a fixture would break that rule.

   Anyone know what their talking about around here?

1. 
   jrnbj | Oct 29, 2008 11:15pm | #3

   Not sure it has to be dedicated, just GFI. Some kitchen circuits ARE dedicated.
   As a practical matter it meets the safety concern, assuming the light + any hairdryer load are under the circuit rating, but we'll have to wait until someone with a copy of the code comes along...

2. 
   FatRoman | Oct 30, 2008 01:16am | #4

   Yes, a bathroom needs a dedicated circuit for its receptacles (see caveat below). You have a choice in how you go about this. If you run only the receptacles on the bathroom's dedicated circuit, you can also feed the receptacles in another bathroom.Alternately you could wire the lights, fan, etc. on the same circuit as the receptacles (as long as it doesn't surpass the circuit's capability of course), but then you cannot use that circuit to feed anything outside that bathroom.Not an electrician. I've just had to flesh this out for my bath.'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb

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3. 
   FatRoman | Oct 30, 2008 01:19am | #5

   As long as that GFCI circuit you want to tap into doesn't serve anything outside the bathroom in question, yes, the NEC allows you to do that.

   'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb

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1. 
   Sbds | Oct 30, 2008 02:19am | #6

   Thanks, all
   Yes it is a dedicated circuit and it will only feed the bathroom it is in.

1. 
   wane | Oct 30, 2008 03:50pm | #7

   you could also remove the GFI recepticles and switch the whole circuit to a GFI breaker ...

1. 
   Sbds | Oct 30, 2008 04:43pm | #8

   Thanks Wane,
   I have the outlet device already and the main panel is in the master bedroom. I like to put GFCI at the point of use.

4. 
   PlumberJoe | Oct 30, 2008 08:52pm | #9

   "I�ve learned from this site that lights in a shower must be protected by a GFCI. "

   That is not true.

   There is nothing in the NEC that requires lights (or fans) in the area of he shower to GFCI protected.

   What is requires is an appropriate rating (damp in this case) and that it be installed per manufactures instructions.

   I know that some fans, when installed over a shower require GFCI protection. Have not heard of a light that does. But it might.

   BTW, make sure that you main lights are not on the GFCI receptacle. You don't want a trip to kill all lights.

1. 
   Richie921 | Oct 30, 2008 11:03pm | #10

   Lights in a bathroom (in a shower or not) are not GFI protected.  Just the outlets are. Lights in a shower need the shower trim. You can either have a dedicated outlet and the lighting circuit could then be used for outside the bathroom or you have to dedicate a circuit to the bathroom.

2. 
   Sbds | Oct 30, 2008 11:08pm | #11

   Thanks Joe,The lights are rated for damp locations. I have read several times on this and other sites that lights in a shower area need to be on a GFCI. Better safe, and the main lights will be on another circuit.

5. 
   MSA1 | Oct 31, 2008 12:01am | #12

   You can put them on the GFCI in the bathroom. The way code is written, one bathroom may be entirely on one 20 amp circuit or if multiple bathrooms all the recptacles can be on the same GFCI.

   Remember to use sealed lenses on the lights.

    

   Family.....They're always there when they need you.

6. 
   Ten_Thumbs | Oct 31, 2008 12:53am | #13

   IIRC: If the fixture manufacturer's instructions require GFCI, then it is required by NEC. Otherwise, your call.

7. 
   arcflash | Oct 31, 2008 03:27am | #14

   It depends. Codes can vary quite considerably from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In my locale, the bathroom has to have a dedicated circuit, but this is the first I've heard about protecting a light with a GFCI. Here, all you need is proper clearance from the shower, and water-tight trim. Call the city or an electrician that has time to answer a few questions. Unless someone lives in your city, you won't get a definitive answer.

8. 
   cliffy | Oct 31, 2008 04:10am | #15

   YES, yes and yes.  I do this regularilly.  The local electrical inspector is absolutely fine with it.

   Have a good day

   CLiffy

1. 
   dude | Oct 31, 2008 01:25pm | #16

   check your code switch controlling the lights has to be 3' from the shower also

1. 
   Sbds | Oct 31, 2008 04:14pm | #17

   Thanks everyone for your input,Danny

2. 
   cap | Nov 02, 2008 12:54am | #18

   Light switch 3' form the tub?  IS that a Canadian Electrical Code requirement?

   Cuz it isn't in the NEC.

   There is a requirement that wall switches be at least 5 ft from the inside walls of an indoor spa or hot tub. (680.43(C), 2005 NEC)

   Cliff

1. 
   dude | Nov 02, 2008 05:17pm | #19

   could be canuck reg as i ran into this problem a few months ago on a job

   i found i could get around it by getting a radio controlled switch from home depot  and as the switch was only 6 v it dident count  and got me out of the jam i was in i had to get na light in the shower after it was finished  and found to be too dark inside

   this remedy allowed me to avoid opening the walls up on a high end house with a nutty owner LOL.