Basement Bathroom Wiring

Hi Folks, I'm doing some research for a basement bath installation and have some electric questions.

There will be an overhead light fixture in the middle of the room, a light fixture over the sink, a light fixture inside the shower stall, a vent fan, a GFCI recepticle to serve the vanity, 3 switches to serve the lights/fan, and 120 v, ~1,000 watt electric wall-mount heater. The floor will be tile on concrete.

1) The fixture inside the shower stall - can a combo light and vent fan fixture be used, or should the vent fan be located outside the shower stall?
2) Should the 3 light fixtures and vent fan be on a circuit having GFCI protection?
3) Should the electric heat be on a circuit having GFCI protection?

I was thinking 3 circuits. One for the vanity GFCI, another for the electric heat, and a third for the 3 lights and the fan. Thoughts?

Thankx all for your comments !!

 

in answer to your questions
1) The fixture inside the shower stall - can a combo light and vent fan fixture be used, or should the vent fan be located outside the shower stall?
It is not a good idea to have the van fan diectly above the shower stall, the moister from the water has a habit of destroying the motor permaturely. It is better to have it slightly out of the direct area over the stall. It is something you should check with your local inspector before doing because I do know there are fans designed for this operation I just have not heard of one that lasts very long

2) Should the 3 light fixtures and vent fan be on a circuit having GFCI protection?
All the lights and receptacles in the bathroom should be on a GFCI circuit they can all be on the same one including the fan.

3) Should the electric heat be on a circuit having GFCI protection?

Electric heat in a bathroom must be provided with GFI protection

Hope this helps

 

gard, can you provide NEC references for putting the lights, fan and heater on GFCI? Or is this just personal preference?

 

I tend to go on the side of safe and it is a personal perferance although I got in the habit after being bitten by and inspector in
Maine over it, as I could not prove an receptacle would not be installed at a later time off the heater and the fan motor was pugged into a receptacle in the housing. The rules he sited although I can't remember the numbers and I don't have my copy of the NEC at home to look them up again.

 

John, Not so much personel preference, but how the AHJ interprets 210.8(A)(B), 210.11(C)(3), 210.23(A). I have seen fan and lighting in newer bathrooms wired from the feed-thru of the GFCI's.



Fred

 

I can't quote NEC but I think the light over the tub has to be water proof as well? It is considered a wet location.