Ask Me Help Desk - Bathroom lighting

Bathroom lighting

Hello,
Can lights in a bathroom be on a general lighting circuit? I know a bathroom branch circuit can share receptacles with lights and other equipment only within the same bathroom. I want to put just the lights on a circuit shares with other lights in the house.

Thank you for your help...

Quote:

Originally Posted by loupi01

I know a bathroom branch circuit can share receptacles with lights and other equipment only within the same bathroom.

BZZZZZT! Wrong answer. These days, most (if not all) codes require the bathroom receptacle to be on it's own circuit, and not the same circuit as the lights - even the ones in the same bathroom. Sorry!

As for the lighting, I've been in quite a few new houses recently where the bathroom lights were on a general lighting circuit. So unless if where you live there are some archaic codes that are different than here in the NY/NJ area, you should be okay.

Cheers,
Moishe

The previous answer given is incorrect, and you are correct that if one 20 amp circuit feeds one bathroom, the lights in that bathroom, along with any other loads such as fans, etc. can be on that circuit, as per NEC 2002 Section 210.11(C)(3) Exception.

The bathroom receptacle circuit must not have any other loads if the circuit feeds additional bathrooms receptacles. If this is the case,then the bathroom lighting then can be connected to a general purpose lighting circuit, as you planned.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkrussell

The previous answer given is incorrect, and you are correct that if one 20 amp circuit feeds one bathroom, the lights in that bathroom, along with any other loads such as fans, etc. can be on that circuit, as per NEC 2002 Section 210.11(C)(3) Exception.

That's strange...

The source of my response was Wiring 1-2-3 (The Home Depot), First Edition, page 113:

BATHROOM SPECS: Any GFCI receptacle should be on its own circuit. Install the lights and fan on a separate 15- or 20-amp circuit.

I wonder where they got their misinformation from?

Anyway, sorry if I misled anyone at first. Thanks tkrussel for clearing that up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkrussell

The bathroom receptacle circuit must not have any other loads if the circuit feeds additional bathrooms receptacles. If this is the case,then the bathroom lighting then can be connected to a general purpose lighting circuit, as you planned.

Many times bathrooms share a run. Often the master bath will be alone and the "main" bath sharing with the powder room downsatairs. Something that needs to be checked. I don't recommend the GFCI outlet and lights sharing a home run, if it is realistic.

Thanks tkrussel,
I wired the master bathroom with its own circuit supplying pwer to the GFI and a couple of lights.
Other recess lights and fan/light units are on the general lighting circuit.

I had a rough electrical inspection today and passed.

Thanks again for your help.

It is always fun to be in the shower when the GFCI trips and takes out the lights. In Ohio I do not approve bath lights ETC on the same circuit as the GFCI unless they are tapped off before the device. That way the GFCI can trip but the lights stay on.

I did not wire the lights to the GFI. You're right about it not being fun to have the lights go off if the GFI trips...

I'm confused

I thought the lighting circuits in a bath had to be GFCI protected if the switches are near water, as they would be in a small bathroom.

OK I will try to be as clear as possible, we are dealing with the National Electric Code 2002 edition, and this can be a confusing document. Either the 2002 or the 2005 may be in effect where you are located, I only have the 2002 handy to refer to at the moment, there may be slight differences between them.

Assuming this a residential tub/shower enclosure, no light fixture can be lower than 8 foot above the water level, except a surface mount or recess. Of course the ceiling is probably much lower than 8 foot above the water level for home tub or shower. Code does not require the fixture to be GFI protected for a residential tub/shower.

GFI protection for a fixture is only required if the tub is a hot tub, a unit that utilizes pumps.

However, the light fixture or fan installation instructions will tell you that GFI protection is required if located in a tub/shower enclosure. This is manufacturers requirement.

So, either the light fixture manufacturer will require GFI, or the Code will require if a spa/hot tub is installed.

Unfortunately, I do not have the 2005 edition handy, but I do not remember this being an issue with the changes between the 2002 edition.

So, to summarize, only the recess or surface mounted fixture located above a tub or shower enclosure needs to be GFI protected. All other lighting in a bathroom does not need GFI. You may GFI protect the other lighting, but it is not necessary, and as noted by another expert, if the GFI trips while you are in the bathroom, you will be in the dark.

Switches do not require any GFI protection, but if near a spa or hot tub, must be at least 5 feet away from the edge of water.

I hope this makes sense and answers your question, if not get back with more questions.