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    Johnshea's Avatar
    Johnshea Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jul 29, 2009, 10:23 AM
    Bathroom vanity GFCI
    Hi,
    Currently in my bathroom is a lighted vanity with a small built in two prong plug. I want to install a GFCI. The vanity is controlled by a wall switch. Do I wire the new 20 amp gfci outlet and vanity light both on the gfci or wire the gfci and lighted vanity separately?
    John
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #2

    Jul 29, 2009, 12:19 PM
    These vanity lights with built in outlets are a problem, as they too need to be GFI protected.

    Sounds like you will be adding a new GFI receptacle. Yes, protect the vanity light so the outlet gets protected also.
    Johnshea's Avatar
    Johnshea Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Jul 29, 2009, 03:49 PM

    The two prong plug is located on the side of the medicine cabinet and has only room for one plugged in item such as an electric shaver, etc. What if I just disconnected that outlet and used the lighting (one fluorescent on either side of the mirror. And wired a gfci. WOuld the lighted medicine cabinet still have to be wired to the gfci.
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #4

    Jul 29, 2009, 04:12 PM

    Whether you can add a GFI receptacle depends on the wiring to the existing medicine cabinet light.

    Remove the switch and tell us what wires you have there. If you have only two wires (one black and one white) you can remove the existing light to access the electric box, add cable to the location desired for the new receptacle. You can cut out dry wall, run the cable and repair the drywall. Repairs don't have to be pretty, it will be covered by the medicine cabinet. If medicine cabinet is recessed into wall you should be able to drill through studs and fish wire to new receptacle. Only receptacles need to be GFI, not light itself.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #5

    Jul 29, 2009, 04:32 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Johnshea View Post
    WOuld the lighted medicine cabinet still have to be wired to the gfci.?

    No.
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