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Skeeter0055 · Dec 13, 2006, 07:49 AM

I am installing a new bathroom in my basement and have a few questions. First a little information on the circuits. The bathroom will have 2 circuits.

Circuit-1 = (2) GFCI's one on each side of vanity top. No lights, switches or appliances on this circuit. Circuit is dedicated only to the GFCI's run on 12 gauge wire, 20AMP circuit.

Circuit-2 = (2) 60w wall scounces, (2) 50w halo lights over shower, (1) 75w ceiling light fixture, (1) 120 CFM exhaust fan. Single switch for fan, single switch for sconces, single switch for remaining ceiling light and shower lighting.

Question 1 = Can I tie Circuit-1 into an existing 20AMP dedicated GFCI circuit for other room? Both circuits are 20AMP dedicated to only GFCI's.

Question 2 = Does Circuit-2 need to be 15AMP or can I have this one 20AMP as well since I wired it using the same 12 gauge wire?

Question 3 = Can you run a 15AMP circuit over 12 gauge wire?

Thank you

tkrussell · Dec 13, 2006, 03:57 PM

Question 1 = Can I tie Circuit-1 into an existing 20AMP dedicated GFCI circuit for other room? Both circuits are 20AMP dedicated to only GFCI's.

Answer #1 Yes

Question 2 = Does Circuit-2 need to be 15AMP or can I have this one 20AMP as well since I wired it using the same 12 gauge wire?

Answer #2 yes since it is all wired with #12, can have a 20 amp breaker.

Question 3 = Can you run a 15AMP circuit over 12 gauge wire?

Answer #3 yes , a circuit with #12 wire can be protected by a 15 amp breaker.

The only issue I see with your plan is the lights in or over the shower will need to be GFI protected, unless the light trims are 8 foot or more above the maximum water level.

Otherwise, your design is perfect.

Skeeter0055 · Dec 13, 2006, 07:13 PM

tkrussell,

Thanks for the reply. I will do as you suggest and place a GFCI within the same run for the shower lights. Can that GFCI be a non outlet type placed on the adjacent wall from the vanity since the vanity will already have GFCI's on their own circuit? Thanks

tkrussell · Dec 14, 2006, 05:12 AM

Yes ,that is a perfect method to protect these lights.

BigRed1500 · Dec 14, 2006, 08:51 AM

TK - when you said yes he can tie the bathroom 20GFCI outlet into an existing 20 circuit - does that apply if you want to tie in both of your bathrooms' GFCIs onto the same 20 circuit?

tkrussell · Dec 14, 2006, 08:56 AM

Yes, one 20 amp circuit can be dedicated to several bathrooms, receptacles only, no light or fans on this circuit.

You can have one 20 amp circuit for one bathroom, and that circuit can have the light and fan in that bathroom only on the outlet circuit.

BigRed1500 · Dec 14, 2006, 09:05 AM

Oh that makes things much easier. I was running out of room in my panel 'cause I was running a 15A for lights/fan and a 20A for receptacles in each bathroom.

The rough is already done 1 bath, but using 14/2 for the lights/fan so I can't switch that around, but I might combine the 2nd bath on 1 20 to save room. Thanks for the tip!