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anthonype3 · Feb 17, 2008, 05:29 PM

I am remodeling my Dad's bathroom. His house was originally built in the 1960's.
The bathroom I am working on has a medicine cabinet with a fleuroscent light bulb on each side of the cabinet. At the bottom of one of the lights is a plug. This is the only electrical outlet in the bathroom. I would like to replace this cabinet/light with a new cabinet and light.

I would like to take the wire that goes to the existing light and run it to a new GFI outlet, then run a new wire from the GFI outlet to the light. This would mean that the GFI oulet would be on a switch. Is this acceptable or would the GFI trip when turning on the switch.

Thanks for your help!

Stratmando · Feb 17, 2008, 06:01 PM

It should be OK. The GFI should trip when either Hot or Neutral draw a different amount of current from each other. If you touched the hot wire, the Hot would be drawing more current than the Neutral, and trip GFI.

hkstroud · Feb 17, 2008, 09:52 PM

Doesn't necessarily have to be that way. You can take the existing wire to GFI then come badk to light without going through GFI. Or you can go to light then go to GFI. Either way if switch is being fed the GFI will only be live when switch is on.

stanfortyman · Feb 18, 2008, 06:52 AM

Just to note. This would be a very real code violation unless you can determine that the circuit is 20A and does not leave that bathroom.
For a 60's home it is all but guaranteed this is not the case.

Do the right thing and run a new 20A circuit to a new bathroom GFI receptacle.

anthonype3 · Feb 18, 2008, 04:47 PM

I appreciate all your help. I was just wondering what State you are in? I'm in Ohio and we don't need to use 12 ga. Or a 20 amp breaker. 14 ga. On a 15 amp breaker is acceptable.

Thanks!

stanfortyman · Feb 18, 2008, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by anthonype3

I'm in Ohio and we don't need to use 12 ga. or a 20 amp breaker. 14 ga. on a 15 amp breaker is acceptable.

Really? I am VERY surprised. I'm not up on Ohio code, but I have been working these types of electrical boards for many years and I have never heard this from any area, especially since the NEC change several code cycles ago. Could be I guess if you are sure.

somethin83 · Feb 21, 2008, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by anthonype3

I am remodeling my Dad's bathroom. His house was originally built in the 1960's.
The bathroom I am working on has a medicine cabinet with a fleuroscent light bulb on each side of the cabinet. At the bottom of one of the lights is a plug. This is the only electrical outlet in the bathroom. I would like to replace this cabinet/light with a new cabinet and light.

I would like to take the wire that goes to the existing light and run it to a new GFI outlet, then run a new wire from the GFI outlet to the light. This would mean that the GFI oulet would be on a switch. Is this acceptable or would the GFI trip when turning on the switch.

Thanks for your help!

That is not legal the GFI needs to be on it's own circuit. If you ran the power to the oulet first then to the light switch up to the light the oulte would not switch on and off.