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Connon · Dec 19, 2006, 07:23 AM

Hello, I am in the process of adding a basement bathroom and I have a couple of questions about the wiring. I plan to have a wall mounted light over the vanity, fed from a gfci outlet also at the vanity. I am going to have a ceiling fan/light as well as a shower light. I do have room in the panel so should I add a breaker and have this as a new circuit? The house is a small ranch (about 1200sf) and the panel was upgraded last year to 200amp. There already seems to be quite a few 15 & 20 amp circuits already, so should I take off one of those? If so, any idea how to identify which one? None of the circuits are labeled in the panel. Thanks in advance!

tkrussell · Dec 19, 2006, 07:39 AM

A bathroom is required to have a 20 amp circuit for the outlet, if the circuit is for that bathroom alone, the any lights and fan in that bathroom can be on that 20 amp circuit.

The outlet needs to be GFI protected, use the outlet type, and the shower light needs to be GFI protected, so come off the load side of the GFI, feed the switch for the shower light, then a two wire to the shower light.

The fan and vanity light does not need to be GFI protected.

Take some time on a weekend to trace out all your circuits and label your panel, it will be helpful in the future.

Actually, labelling a panel is required by code, so the electrician that upgraded the service stiffed you, and the inspector did not catch it.

Connon · Dec 19, 2006, 08:02 AM

Thanks for the quick response! I am assuming that the wiring should all be #12 correct? And do you recommend a separate circuit? The only reason I ask is it seems odd how may breakers there are for such a small house. There are at least a dozen, aside from the 220's. Thanks again

tkrussell · Dec 19, 2006, 08:04 AM

The shorted neutral & ground is far more serious than the inconveinence of not labelling the panel, which he should have his feet held to the fire for as well.

Did you report your findings to him? He may have a inexperienced apprentice doing improper connections elsewhere.

tkrussell · Dec 19, 2006, 08:06 AM

Yes the entire circuit needs to be #12, and yes a separate circuit is needed, unless there is another existing 20 amp circuit dedicated for bathroom outlets, then the fan and lights can go on a local lighting circuit, and the new bathroom outlet can connect to the exisitng bathroom outlet circuit.

Seems like it is time to trace out all your cirucits and outlets before deciding to add more circuits.

Connon · Dec 19, 2006, 08:25 AM

Is there a limit as to how many lighting fixtures and outlets should be on one circuit? I am asking so when I trace the circuits, I know which one to use for the lights. Thanks

tkrussell · Dec 19, 2006, 09:03 AM

There is no limit for residential circuits, however the commercial code for a 20 amp circuit is 10 outets on a 20 amp circuit, and 8 on a 15 amp circuit, that is widely used as a guidline for residential wiring.

Connon · Dec 19, 2006, 09:13 AM

One last question... I had to add a new circuit for the ejection pump that was installed for the plumbing. This is a 20amp gfci breaker in the box. The only thing connected to it is the pump. Would I be able to come off that to the outlet in the bathroom or should the pump be the only thing on that circuit? I truly appreciate your time in answering these questions.

tkrussell · Dec 19, 2006, 10:05 AM

All depends on the size pump, and this pump should not need a GFI breaker or protection. It can be if you like, but expect nusiance tripping, and possibly a flood.

The 20 amp circuit/outlet for bathrooms is intended to be dedicated for hair dryers, etc, and if one circuit is in one bathroom, lights and fan in that bathroom is allowed on it.

labman · Dec 19, 2006, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by tkrussell

The shorted neutral & ground is far more serious than the inconveinence of not labelling the panel, which he should have his feet held to the fire for as well.

Did you report your findings to him? He may have a inexperienced apprentice doing improper connections elsewhere.

Unlicensed people doing work in a public building might do well to keep quiet about it. I think it is just one man and his son.

tkrussell · Dec 19, 2006, 11:03 AM

Now your scaring me... place of assembly if the building holds 100 people or more. I would not want to be the insurance adjuster on a claim for a problem there.

Connon · Dec 19, 2006, 11:16 AM

Thank you for that info. I just looked up the pump installation online and you are 100% correct. There is nothing about a gfci mentioned. I am not sure why the plumber said it needed to be on one. Do you think I should change out the breaker? Also the pump is listed as 12 amp at full load, and it is on a dedicated 20 amp circuit. Do you think it is OK to branch off for the lights etc?

tkrussell · Dec 19, 2006, 12:03 PM

Yes change out the breaker to a regular one, use it for the bathroom. Find a lighting circuit for the lights, the pump will cause the lights to flicker.

Connon · Dec 19, 2006, 12:38 PM

Thanks so much! I really appreciate your help so I can do this correctly the first time.