[J Bone]

I am in the process of putting in a full bath and had a question regarding the wiring. I ran a #12 and #14 from the breaker and intended on using the #14 for the bath fan/lights and the #12 for the GFI outlet.


I want to also run the 12 gauge from this GFI to one I intend to install in the upstairs bathroom in about a year when I remodel it. It would seem OK to have both outlets on the same 20 amp circuit since these 2 outlets will be the only devices on the circuit, plus rarely if ever will both outlets be used at the same time (for example, unless we have guests and 2 women are using hair dryers at the same time).

Is this OK to do, or should I run another circuit for the upstairs bathroom?

I also want to do the same with the bath fan/lighting, and use the same circuit if possible... Please advise

Thanks

[labman]

I don't see a problem. You can use the feed through feature and have GFI service from a regular outlet in the second bath. Often there are little stickers to put on the other outlets feeding off a GFI one.

[tkrussell]

According to code, all bathroom outlets must be a 20 amp circuit, with #12 wire, and dedicated for the bathroom outlet(s) only, and must be GFI protected.

As labman mentioned, you can incurr the cost of only one GFI device in the lower bathroom, and using the feed through terminals on the GFI outlet, protect the upstairs bathroom outlet.

Each new device you purchase must have labels " GFI Protected" to apply to standard outlets which are GFI protected from a GFI device upstream. Use the label to inform a user that they are safe to use the outlet,which if in a bathroom, will most likely be next to a sink.

There is no limit as to the quantity of bathroom outlets that can be connected to this dedicated bathroom outlet circuit,(however, if you are Bill Gates with 25 bathrooms in the house, you may want to consider installing more circuits, that is hoping you did not blow the budget on gold fittings and floor to ceiling marble)

Chances are nil, but possible that both outlets are used at the same time with hairdryers.


And you can use the other 15 amp circuit to feed the fan light units in both bathrooms. I caution you that if any fanlight unit is in or above a tub or shower area, the fan light must be GFI protected also, and not connected to the outlet GFI, must have its own GFI.

Hope this helps, Wire Safe!

[jasv]

I am also remodeling a bathroom and decided to add a light/fan over the shower. I had not thought of GFI protecting it. Do I need to have a GFI circuit breaker or will a GFI outlet upstream do?

[tkrussell]

You can always use a GFI breaker, but they are expensive, I think about 40 dollars at the box stores.


There is also a device that mounts like an outlet, but does not have the receptacle holes, called a deadfront,or blank GFI. You can mount in a box next to the wall switch, if you use one switch you will need a 2 gang box to hold both the switch and the deadfront GFI, and wire it just like a receptacle.

I think they are about $15.00, and you benefit by having the GFI in the room you will use it for access to the test and reset buttons.

Breakers are great, but if it trips, you need to drag yourself to the panelboard.

And you can either use one to protect the bathroom fan in that room, and either wire it to protect another devices upstream or wire so upstream is not protected.

Now in this case the outlet that must be GFI in the bathroom can also protect the fan light. This can be the simplest way, but the downside to this, if the GFI trips, you lose both the outlet and the fan light.

So now you have several options. Any further questions on thes let me know

[ATTITUDEDA]

Can soneone explain why the fan or light can not be connected to the same GFI outlet. Is there a difference between adding an extra outlet to a GFI vs a light or fan. Thanks..

[tkrussell]

Not sure where you are getting the fanlight cannot be connected to the GFI in the bathroom.

Below is an excerpt from my last post to jasv:

"Now in this case the outlet that must be GFI in the bathroom can also protect the fan light. Thsi can be the simplest way, but the downside to this, if the GFI trips, you lose both the outlet and the fan light."

The code reqiuers an outlet be installed in a bathroom nxet to the sink, this outlet must be GFI protected, and must be a dedicated 20 amp circuit for bathroom outlets only, however does allow for other devices in the bathroom that need GFI protection be connected to this bathroom outlet circuit.

Have I help clear this confusion up for you? If not get back to me and we can discuss further.

[ATTITUDEDA]

Thanks I must of read your post wrong the first time.