Hello,

I’d like to add new electrical outlet next to the toilet for the bidet. Since the exisitng outlets are quite far from the toilet, I’m thinking of using an outlet on the opposite of the wall (which is the bedroom). It’s 20A, and new outlet will be GFCI.

But then I heard that that might violate the code. It sounds like the bathroom circuit cannot supply outlets outside of bathroom. What about this case? It will be a simple project if I can just use the outlet on the opposite outlet. The location is U.S.

 

This is true, but this isn't the scenario you explained. You said you wanted to feed the bidet by tapping off an outlet in the adjacent bedroom, in which case you'd be feeding an outlet INSIDE the bathroom with a circuit OUTSIDE of the bathroom. I believe this would be permitted.

 

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, what you are saying is correct - the circuit is for the bedroom, and feeding an outlet in the bathroom.

Looking at the romex cable color and what says on its circuit breaker, the outlet should be on a 20A circuit (not sure if I can 100% be certain for that, but the house was recently built - less than three years - so assuming the builder followed the code right).

 

Yellow cable sheathing?

Regardless, it shouldn't matter (assuming it isn't a dedicated circuit/outlet). You'll need to pull 12/2 to the new outlet, but you can use a 15A GFCI.

 

Potato, potahto. What's the difference between the two? There is none. The wires don't know/care where the circuit originally ran. All that matters is what exists now. You've now got a circuit feeding a bathroom with disallowed stuff outside of the bathroom.

Of course the spirit of the code was to provide power for hair dryers and curling irons, and the bidet recep doesn't violate the intention.

Why having a full 20A available at the vanity is a fire/electrocution issue is beyond me. National Nanny Association is going to branch out into helping little old ladies cross the street in the near future, I think.

 

The other option that I have (to be on the same circuit) is to add the outlet on the side of bathroom cabinet.



Since the circuit only has one GFCI outlet, I think I can add one more to that. Fish NM cable from the GFCI to the inside of the cabinet, run the cable inside of the cabinet, make a square hole on the side of the cabinet and put the box there.

Would this be a possible solution too? I don't know if I can leave bare NM inside of the cabinet so probably I would need the conduit. My question is if inside of the bathroom cabinet is considered as "wet area" so that leaving NM cable there isn't allowed.

 

Inside the cabinet is not a wet area.

 

Thanks for your reply. Then it sounds like running bare NM cable inside of the cabinet seems reasonable solution to me because it still can be on the same circuit. I also was a bit worried since I might damage the water lines that are running inside of the wall when cutting the hole on the wall for the outlet.

For this approach, I only need to drill a small hole that I can fish the wire from the GFCI on the wall to the inside of the cabinet, (and I know what's in there inside of the cabinet) so should be straightforward. Thanks.

 

That vanity doesn't look too hard to remove and reinstall.
It might be cleaner to remove the vanity and run the wire behind vanity by cutting drywall and notching studs.
Cuts will be behind vanity, so don't need to patch.

 

This is what we used to use when running NM-B through kitchen islands, etc. I imagine it is sold in smaller quantities:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwir...6201/203364971

Secured with: https://www.homedepot.com/b/Electric...%7Bredirect%7D

Use an old work box for the receptacle: https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-Gang-1...14RB/100404027

 

That flexible PVC liquidtight conduit is great for outdoor uses, but I think that is over kill for indoor uses and as far as I know Home Depot doesn't sell them in cut length.
Not sure about electrical supply stores.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Legrand-...NMW1/100038290
Something like this will be enough to protect wire. Since you will be running NM and indoors, it just needs to be protected. Don't need water tight conduit.

 

A piece of plastic Panduit split duct would give the cable a neater look and protection against anything bumping into the cable.