Adding new bathroom to house
#1
05-24-15, 11:29 AM
Adding new bathroom to house
I have two existing bathrooms in my 1975 house. Each bathroom has 2 lights, a fan, and a receptacle. These two bathrooms are on a single 15A circuit. (Maybe this is no longer in code?)
I'm converting a closet to a full bath. It will also have 2 lights, a fan, and a receptacle. It would be very easy to wire the new receptacle to the existing 15A bathroom circuit and leave the lights and fan on another circuit. Is this allowed?
I'm converting a closet to a full bath. It will also have 2 lights, a fan, and a receptacle. It would be very easy to wire the new receptacle to the existing 15A bathroom circuit and leave the lights and fan on another circuit. Is this allowed?
#2
05-24-15, 11:51 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
The lights can go on the existing 15 amp circuit if there is capacity. The receptacle should be on a new 20 amp circuit.
The 20 amp circuit can also power the lights and fan if it only servers one bathroom.
The 20 amp circuit can also power the lights and fan if it only servers one bathroom.
#3
05-24-15, 12:27 PM
So, you would recommend leaving the existing 2 bathrooms (lights, fan, receptacles) on the existing 15A circuit and install a new 20A circuit for the new bathroom? While I'm at it, should I go ahead and split the two existing bathrooms into individual 15A circuits to bring them up to code?
I might hire an electrician to do this work. I have an old Federal Pacific breaker box that I know I need to replace anyway.
I might hire an electrician to do this work. I have an old Federal Pacific breaker box that I know I need to replace anyway.
#4
05-24-15, 01:24 PM
Splitting the two existing bathrooms up to 2, 15 amp circuits would not have them meet code. This you have problems with them I would probably just leave them how they are. The new code requires that a bathroom have a 20 amp circuit for the receptacle(s) which may be shared with the lighting and fan in that bathroom but with no other room.
#5
05-24-15, 01:27 PM
While I'm at it, should I go ahead and split the two existing bathrooms into individual 15A circuits to bring them up to code?
#6
05-25-15, 06:01 AM
Are you saying that I'm not allowed to split the existing bathrooms into two 15A circuits because it wouldn't pass an inspection? Does that also mean a licensed electrician could not do that work? In that case, I'll leave it as it is. One bathroom is extremely tough to access, and it would be difficult to run a lower gauge wire just for the receptacle.
#7
05-25-15, 07:01 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
New work needs to meet the current code requirements. It would not matter who did the work. The requirements are the same.
Smaller number wire gauges are larger sizes.
Smaller number wire gauges are larger sizes.
