[daisydakota]

Hi,

I am wiring a new bathroom. I have the following to install:
3 recessed lights, 1 GFCI outlet, 1 Nutone exhaust fan, 2 sconce lights

Can I do the following?
Run 12-2 romex from a 20 amp breaker to the GFCI outlet
Run 12-2 from the GFCI outlet to a 2 gang switch box
Control the sconce lights and 3 recessed lights from one switch
Control thre exhaust fan with the other.

[creahands]

I am not an electrician, but I believe you need one circuit for GFCI outlet and another for the lights. I would check code in your area.

If wired the way you stated and GFCI pops you will lose the lights.

Chuck

[ballengerb1]

"Control thre exhaust fan " is this a fan only, no light and no heater? Romex is a brand of wire made by Southwire, what type are you using? I am with Chuck, run 2 separate circuits for a bath with receptacle and lights separate.

[donf]

There are several ways to wire a bathroom.

The NEC requires that the bathroom receptacle be on a 20 amp (#12/2 cable) GFCI protected circuit. The circuit can be protected at the breaker by using a GFCI breaker or, to install a GFCI protected receptacle <preferred method>.

In my opinion this the best way. Separate the lighting and fan on one 15 amp circuit. A run a separate 20 amp circuit to the GFCI corntrolled receptacle. That way if the GFCI trips you still have the lights on.

The NEC does allow for a single 20 amp to supply one entire bathroom including the GFCI receptacle. If you choose to do the bathroom with one 20 amp circuit, then you have to make sure the last thing on thecircuit is the GFCI receptacle, otherwise, if the GFCI recptacle trips, you will be standing in the dark

[stanfortyman]

The GFI does not have to be last on the circuit. A GFI can be wired to only the LINE terminals so it is not protection anything downstream.

Unless there is a heater on the circuit, one 20A circuit should be fine for the whole bathroom.

daisydakota, your plan seems fine to me.
The fan is not over the tub or shower, is it?

[daisydakota]

The fan will not be over the shower, rather it will be in the center of the room. What do you mean by the LINE terminals?

[donf]

On a GFCI receptacle there are two sets of terminals.

The "Line" side, which is where the supply going into the receptacle. It this circuit and anything connected to the receptacle that is protected by the GFCI.

The "Load" side is where you connect the conductors that you want to protect downstream of the GFCI receptacle.

If you only want the receptacle protected, only connect conductors to the "Line"side.