I am in the process of moving to a new apartment (one bedroom) in my building. The buildings are over 40 years old and the bathroom has the original bathroom lighting fixture (2 lights) with built-in power outlet (See photo below).

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jbob_gXvbSc/S3...2010.20.07.jpg

When I had moved to a new apartment in the building in the past (In the mid 90's), I was able to find a 3 light vanity light with a built -in outlet and I installed it myself. (It is still in that apartment with ex-wife)

Now I am finding that you can no longer get these type of fixtures due to new codes (GFI- What does that stand for?)? There is no other power outlet in the bathroom, but I need to have one in there.

I am not an electrician, but can do basic stuff (Install new outlets, switches, etc.) I do want to change out the lighting fixture in the bathroom, but it looks like I have to have a separate power outlet from the lighting fixture. What can I do to accomplish this? I am trying to keep costs down where I can. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

GFI or GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, they have a Trip and Reset Button on them, helps someone from getting shocked should a fault occur.
If the circuit goes back to the panel with its own Neutral, you could use the lights with the built in recepticles, Use a Panel Breaker.
Does the switch box have a Hot and Neutral, if so you could have a combo GFI and Switch.
If this is a 4 X 4 inch box with a single gand mud ring, I would careful cut enough wall to remove Mud ring and install a 2 gang mud ring to allow a separate switch and receptacle.

Another option is to bring power down from the light to a Box for a GFI receptacle, this would only work when the light is on.
This may need to be done if there is no way to get a neutral to switch box(may have a switch loop)

Thanks for the info... Here is what I know...

I do know that the power outlet is not powered from the switch, being items plugged in work even with the lights off. Switchbox is a 4 x 2 and the switch only has a red and a black wire (Hot and Neutral, Right?) attached.

We have a fuse box, not a circuit breaker panel. All the ceiling lights in the apartment (6) plus at least one duplex wall outlet in the living room coming off a 15 amp fuse. Have to test the outlet on the bathroom light to see if it is coming from the same line.

(Still in the moving process, so am jumping on here off and on... )

The switch wiring is known as a "switch loop". He white should be taped black with black electrical tape at both ends.

Is the red, white and black hooked up? Receptacle at the switch?

There are only two wires at the switch. Red and Black... there is no white wire... Haven't taken down the lighting fixture to see what wiring is back there.

If you only have red and black, it is likely in conduit, which allows you to pull a neutral from the light and have a combo GFI/Switch at the door, and if you pulled extra wires, you could protect the Lights receptacle from the load side of the GFI.


Other option is fish wiring and a box down from the light and install a new receptacle.