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mikect05
Dec 5, 2011, 10:45 AM
Hi, I am wondering if I can have a 505 watt heat lamp, a 20 amp receptacle and two wall sconces 100 watt max each on one 20 amp bath Circuit. I just don't know what wattage I should consider the receptacle. There is nothing in the heat lamp instructions saying it needs to be dedicated.
Thanks

cdad
Dec 5, 2011, 12:19 PM
To get watts from amps you multiply line voltage times the number of amps.

V X A = W

so if you have 120 volts and 20 amps that would be 2400 watts.

The other things you have to consider is hair dryers because they are high wattage. So if you have one then check its specifications so you know you have plenty of power.

donf
Dec 5, 2011, 03:54 PM
Mike,

Bathrooms can be very complicated. To begin with, a receptacle in a bathroom it must be on a 20 Amp, GFCI protected circuit.

Now that circuit, if it serves multiple outlets, Heat Lamp, Sconces and Receptacle, by code is limited to 16 amps and it cannot leave the bathroom to service any other load.

However, if you place just the receptacle (GFCI) on the 20 amp circuit, then you can extended that circuit to service another receptacle in another bathroom,but nothing else.

Normally, when I wire a bathroom, I run two circuits. One 15 amp circuit for the lights and heat lamp and a dedicated 20 amp Receptacle branch circuit.

I do it that way so that if the GFCI protected receptacle trips, my wife is not standing there in a dark bathroom looking for someone to kill because of her plight.

mikect05
Dec 5, 2011, 06:17 PM
Thanks Don, I was planning on running two circuits to our bathroom, I have 3 recessed lights rated for 100 watts, an exhaust fan (not sure of wattage), a 505 watt heat lamp, two wall sconces (100 watts), and a 20 amp gfci receptacle.
I was planning on putting the lights and fan on it's own 15 amp circuit, but it makes sense to put the heat lamp on this circuit. I will still put the sconces on with the gfci, but the main lights will not be.
I can wire it so that even if the gfci trips it won't effect other things on that branch right?
I also have a 20 amp dedicated for a whirlpool and a 15 amp dedicated for the heater, as per manufacturer.