Lighting and outlets on the same circuit?
#1
07-30-15, 11:16 PM
Lighting and outlets on the same circuit?
I've been googeling for an hour and have found conflicting information so I thought I'd post...
1. Can a single bathroom be supplied with only one 20 Amp circuit to power lights (overhead, and vanity), a single GFCI outlet, and an exhaust fan? Provided all wiring is 12 guage, and the lighting is upstream of the GFCI?
2. Can a garage have lighting and outlets on the same 20 Amp circuit? Provided all wiring is 12 guage, and on a gfci breaker?
I understand it is not ideal to have lighting and outlets on the same circuit, but is it acceptable? I'd run more circuits but my panel is getting pretty full.
1. Can a single bathroom be supplied with only one 20 Amp circuit to power lights (overhead, and vanity), a single GFCI outlet, and an exhaust fan? Provided all wiring is 12 guage, and the lighting is upstream of the GFCI?
2. Can a garage have lighting and outlets on the same 20 Amp circuit? Provided all wiring is 12 guage, and on a gfci breaker?
I understand it is not ideal to have lighting and outlets on the same circuit, but is it acceptable? I'd run more circuits but my panel is getting pretty full.
#2
07-31-15, 03:44 AM
1) Yes
2) Yes. However GDO circuit must be separate and GFCI, depending on code version.
It is an inconvenience for sure. Go to your garage and want to change out a light fixture, you'll do it in the dark, because you can't even plug in a lamp to help out.
2) Yes. However GDO circuit must be separate and GFCI, depending on code version.
It is an inconvenience for sure. Go to your garage and want to change out a light fixture, you'll do it in the dark, because you can't even plug in a lamp to help out.
#3
07-31-15, 07:19 AM
Member
2. Can a garage have lighting and outlets on the same 20 Amp circuit? Provided all wiring is 12 guage, and on a gfci breaker?
#6
07-31-15, 02:23 PM
Member
Thanks for that Ray 2047, I could not find that rule, if in fact the mfg. Requires a separate circuit then that would be a different story.
Geo
Geo
#7
07-31-15, 02:27 PM
if in fact the mfg. Requires a separate circuit then that would be a different story
#8
08-04-15, 12:37 AM
Just to follow up, I ended up installing a single 20 Amp circuit in the garage to control the lights, outlets, and garage door opener outlet.
I spoke with a local electrician (Oregon USA) and he said that while all outlets must be GFCI protected (including ceiling outlets), if the GDO outlet is a single outlet (not a duplex), it is doesn't have to be GFCI protected.
I also checked the manual of the Chamberlain 1hp GDO I just bought, and there is no mention of it needing to have it's own circuit.
I spoke with a local electrician (Oregon USA) and he said that while all outlets must be GFCI protected (including ceiling outlets), if the GDO outlet is a single outlet (not a duplex), it is doesn't have to be GFCI protected.
I also checked the manual of the Chamberlain 1hp GDO I just bought, and there is no mention of it needing to have it's own circuit.
#9
08-04-15, 02:47 AM
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I spoke with a local electrician (Oregon USA) and he said that while all outlets must be GFCI protected (including ceiling outlets), if the GDO outlet is a single outlet (not a duplex), it is doesn't have to be GFCI protected.
#10
08-04-15, 10:57 AM
Member
That would be a LOCAL code revision as the NEC makes no distinction and requires that ALL receptacles in garages, regardless of their position, configuration or usage to have GFCI protection
#11
08-06-15, 06:55 AM
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It seems that electrical inspectors (probably other disciplines as well) either have a great deal of leeway in how they interpret and/or enforce their local codes or else they simply take that position without any specific authority to do so. I have known inspectors that allow re-identifying conductors of less than #4 size when the work is done by a homeowner or non-profit organization with limited funding. I have seen installations of EMT coming from underground PVC conduit through concrete be approved and I have known at least one inspector that absolutely would not pass ANYTHING that wasn't to the absolute strictest letter of the code.
Now I have no problem in allowing the re-identification of any size conductor as long as the identification is reasonably permanent (multiple overlapping wraps of colored plastic tape) but I would never accept EMT underground or as a stub up through concrete. The distinction between a single and duplex receptacle for things such as garage door openers, refrigerators, freezers or sump pumps would be a very minor thing in my book provided the receptacle was situated as to preclude the easy usage of the "open" receptacle for general usage.
On the other hand, when I took the Civil Service examination for electrical inspector (in Seattle) although I scored very high I was never offered the position.
Now I have no problem in allowing the re-identification of any size conductor as long as the identification is reasonably permanent (multiple overlapping wraps of colored plastic tape) but I would never accept EMT underground or as a stub up through concrete. The distinction between a single and duplex receptacle for things such as garage door openers, refrigerators, freezers or sump pumps would be a very minor thing in my book provided the receptacle was situated as to preclude the easy usage of the "open" receptacle for general usage.
On the other hand, when I took the Civil Service examination for electrical inspector (in Seattle) although I scored very high I was never offered the position.
#12
08-06-15, 09:07 AM
Member
On the other hand, when I took the Civil Service examination for electrical inspector (in Seattle) although I scored very high I was never offered the position.
#13
08-06-15, 12:05 PM
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Wet side of Washington state.
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Could be. When I took the exam for Boiler Inspector I was number two on the list, a man that already had a National Board (ASME) certification was first and my buddy who was a personal friend of the chief boiler inspector was at the bottom of the list. My buddy was given the job and then several chances to pass the National Board exam, all of which he failed. The man with the NB certification threatened to sue the city for discrimination (he was a minority) and after something like 18 months my buddy was let go and the man was offered the job.
