Hello,

I think I know the answer to this question but I want to make sure before I wire everything up... can outlets and lights be on the same circuit? And if they can be are there any disadvantages to not going that route? My current plan is to wire every bedroom (outlets and lights together) individually on 20 amp circuits. Basically rewiring an existing commercial building into my new home. I was also going to take and wire each of the jack-n-jill style bathrooms (outlets and lights together) individually on their own 20 amp circuits. Does anyone see and any issues with this? BTW, I'm in Wyoming, I don't know if that would affect anything. One last question, I was looking through a code book and it said that the dining room should have it's own branch circuit for the outlets? Anyone know if this is true and what is the reasoning behind this?
Thanks in advance for any help that you can give!!

The bath is a bit weird for wiring and circuits because it needs one 20 A receptacle. Check the code.

You can read the NEC online. Follow the sticky under the link "Electrical & Lighting" on the top left.

If it were me, I'd wire the lighting on at least two circuits per floor. Reasoning. Your using a hair dryer in the bathroom and it pops the GFCI. Your now in the dark. Not good.

If a ceiling ckt pops, there is at least another lighting circuit on the same floor.

The lighting switches I'd wire with either 12/3 or 14/3. The neutrals allow the use of automation devices.

AFCI's are becoming necessary nearly everywhere in the 2008 NEC.

Make sure there is an outlet in the hallways so that a sweeper can easily be plugged in.

Thank you. Yeah I saw that a 20 amp circuit needed to go to the bathroom and I've provided for that. But I think I'm going to just wiring everything per room on it's own circuit. Just easier that way given I'm adapting to steel conduit with Romex.

Does anyone else have any ideas? Outlets in the dining room?

Dining room outlets/circuits are to be 20 amp with #12 wire, and shall be receptacles only, no lighting allowed, as the dining room is required to have small appliance circuits, see 2008 NEC Section 210-52(B)1.