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electricalpain

Bathroom project electrical

18 years ago

I'll try to keep this short n concise with as much detail as i can...pardon my lack of knowledge in correct terms. Ontario, Canada, residential bathroom upgrade. Components and layout. 1 line run direct from panel to whirlpool tub. 2nd line run from panel direct to gfci outlet 1 run parrallel to gfci2 (this gives me constant unswitched power at vanity? from gfci1 to switch1 in turn to light1 above vanity. gfci2 to switch2 which will switch exhaust fan and main light. Do I need junction boxes anywhere? Can I safely run it exactly as stated with all components daisy chained if you will...no junction boxes? The present service is 100 amps being upgraded in roughly a month or so with a breaker style 200 amp service current is round fuse. Should I run and dead end an additional main line to seperate the two circuits after the upgrade or is my layout sufficient? The wiring has been changed from the old cloth covered 14/2 to new 14/2.

Comments (10)

  • 18 years ago

    "2nd line run from panel direct to gfci outlet 1 run parrallel to gfci2 (this gives me constant unswitched power at vanity? "

    Is this a run-on sentence? I don't understand what you're implying here. Break it down into short sentences please.
    A "run" of wire from the panel is referred to as a circuit. You can have up to 12 devices ( a device is classified as anything that consumes electrical power) on 1 circuit in Canada.

  • 18 years ago

    When I say run then yes I am referring to a circuit, but I am speaking in the physical sense not in theory. A run being the physical line from panel to gfci1 for example. When I say main line I am referring to a single "run".

    Step1) A physical wire to the whirlpool tub direct from service panel in basement.

    Step2) A second physical wire from panel going to GFCi1.

    Which in turn will connect to GFCi2 in parallel.

    Step3) I will then run a physical wire from GFCi1 to Switch1 which will turn on the vanity light.

    Question: GFCi 1 and 2 will have constant (unswitched)power as they will be before the switch running the vanity light, correct?

    Step4) From GFCi2 I will run a physical wire to switch2 which will run a main bathroom light and fan which will just be hooked in series.

    So what I am asking is if my physical layout requires any junction boxes or if I can wire it exactly as stated. I hope this clarifies my first post. Thanks for your response and time. Cheers!!

  • 18 years ago

    What size circuit are running the GFCI. If you are using a 15 amp circuit for the GFCI then you have no problems. If you intend to run a 20 amp circuit then you must run another cirucit or tap power from another circuit which is 15 amp. You are not permitted to put lighting on a 20 amp circuit.

  • 18 years ago

    I missed the part about using 14/2. I guess that means 15 amp circuits. You will be fine.

  • 18 years ago

    "Step2) A second physical wire from panel going to GFCi1. Which in turn will connect to GFCi2 in parallel."

    You don't need GFCI2. You connect a regular duplex receptacle to the "LOAD" side of GFCI1 and then the second recept will be ground fault protected. This common setup saves you money.
    "Step3) I will then run a physical wire from GFCi1 to Switch1 which will turn on the vanity light."

    Connect the wire to Switch1 before the line side of GFCI1. There is no reason to GFCI a lighting circuit. That way if you do have a ground fault trip in the bathroom, at least you'll have lights to see what you're doing. Your device box for GFCI1 also serves as your junction box for the connection of the wire to switch1.

    "Step4) From GFCi2 I will run a physical wire to switch2 which will run a main bathroom light and fan which will just be hooked in series."

    I wouldn't do that either. I'd run your Switch2 power from before GFCI1 or from the actual device box at Switch1. Again, you don't want/need GFCI protection for lights and fan.

  • 18 years ago

    "You are not permitted to put lighting on a 20 amp circuit."

    Why not?

  • 18 years ago

    Why not?
    Must be a Canadian thing.

  • 18 years ago

    "You are not permitted to put lighting on a 20 amp circuit."
    Why not?

    Because it is the code in Ontario.

  • 18 years ago

    Oh. Sorry about that.

  • 18 years ago

    Ok sorry for the confusion again my terminology may not be correct. When I say GFCi1 and 2, I am speaking of GFCi power outlets for use around the vanity .