Bath Exhaust Fan
#1
04-02-05, 07:06 AM
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Bath Exhaust Fan
I have a bath with switch operating the ceiling light using in-the-wall Romex. Line feed is at the switch. I want to install a combination light and exhaust fan with separate switches for the light and fan.
If I replace the single switch with two switches can I fish a single THHN conductor in the wall/ceiling from the second switch to the fan and share the neutral?
If not, how should this be done?
If I replace the single switch with two switches can I fish a single THHN conductor in the wall/ceiling from the second switch to the fan and share the neutral?
If not, how should this be done?
#3
04-02-05, 07:24 AM
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No, no, no, no.
You must either replace the 2-wire NM with 3-wire (preferred method),
or add another 2-wire.
You must either replace the 2-wire NM with 3-wire (preferred method),
or add another 2-wire.
#4
04-02-05, 12:09 PM
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OK ... I suppose the single THHN wire doesn't meet code, but I wonder what is wrong with it...is it a matter of too little insulation or what?
#6
04-03-05, 06:59 AM
If you ran the single THHN conductor in conduit it would be fine, but I doubt you want to do that as it would be easier to replace the NM cable. THHN is rarely used inside a house in areas where NM is allowed.
#7
04-03-05, 07:49 AM
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Even a single conductor in a conduit would not be code.
It would need to be run with the other circuit conductors.
It would need to be run with the other circuit conductors.
#9
04-03-05, 08:58 AM
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OK, so suppose I fish another NM down the wall... can it be another 2-conductor and use it along with the existing 2-conductor or do I have to fish a 3-conductor and abandon the existing 2-conductor? Also, isn't there a code requirement to strap the NM? If so, how do I strap inside the wall? Do I have to remove and replace the plaster just to strap the new NM? The existing 2-conductor NM is stapped inside the wall.
#10
04-03-05, 09:10 AM
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I really would run a 3-wire and abandon the old one. It is just simpler that way.
You do not have to strap/staple the new cable in old work. It can just float in the wall as odd as it seems.
You do not have to strap/staple the new cable in old work. It can just float in the wall as odd as it seems.
#11
04-03-05, 11:27 AM
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OK I think I got it...a modification is old work even though it is new work (to me) and there is a gray line where on one side of the line I have to meet code and on the other side of the line I don't have to meet code...or maybe there is a new work code and an old work code that are different.
On a more serious note, thanks for all the helpful comments. The other thing is nobody is going to inspect this old/new work...I just would like to do it right.
On a more serious note, thanks for all the helpful comments. The other thing is nobody is going to inspect this old/new work...I just would like to do it right.
#12
04-03-05, 02:16 PM
You may want to do it properly, but more importantly you need to do it safely.
Electricity can kill. Electricity can cause fires. Those two things should be enough for you to want to do this properly.
Electricity can kill. Electricity can cause fires. Those two things should be enough for you to want to do this properly.
