Wiring a new construction bathroom

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11-17-04, 06:05 AM

jdett

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Wiring a new construction bathroom

Hi,
I'm building a new bathroom in my basement. I was planning on running a dedicated circuit for the GFI outlet. I will also have one light above the vanity and a separate combo light/fan.

Can I power all of the above on one 20amp circuit? Or should I have the lights/fan on a separate circuit?

Thanks

Last edited by jdett; 11-17-04 at 06:09 AM. Reason: typo

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11-17-04, 06:12 AM

sjr

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You can put bathroom lights and fans on the same circuit as the receptacles as long as the branch circuit serves only that bathroom. Yes, it should be a 20A circuit, and (sorry if this is obvious) you must use 12 AWG wire for everything.

There are reasons for keeping the lights/fans on a different circuit, but none that are so compelling that I would recommend doing so. I have the light and fan in my bathroom on the same circuit as the receptacle and found it easier than trying to tap another circuit for the light and fan.

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11-17-04, 08:02 AM

jdett

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one other question:

Do I put the GFI at the end of the circuit? Or before the lights and fan?

Thanks for your help.

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11-17-04, 08:33 AM

John Nelson

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Order doesn't matter. It's up to you whether you want to GFCI protect the lights and fan or not. Such protection is not required. If you put the GFCI ahead of the lights and fan, you can choose to protect them or not based on whether you connect the downstream cable to the line side or the load side of the GFCI. I guess I'd recommend not protecting them.

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11-17-04, 09:36 AM

lee330

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I am actually in the same situation but will be installing a toilet with an ejection system built in. From the manufacturer's specs the toilet only draws 5-6 amps when used. Can this be on the same GFI circuit or does this need to be on a separate circuit? Thanks

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11-17-04, 02:10 PM

racraft

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Your ejection system can be on the same circuit, if you want it to be. But becareful about flushing the toilet while running the curling iron and the hairdryer, or you may be in the dark.

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