Bathroom Electrical Requirements

19 years ago

Curious...I gutted my bathroom. It is feed by a #14 dedicated circuit. Is this enough to handle:

1) Four 6" recessed lights, main switch when you enter the room, switch located at entrance door

2) Two 4" recessed lights above the mirror, operated on an as needed basis for additional lighting, switch located by vanity

3) Two mirror sconces, operated on an as needed basis for additional lighting, switch located by vanity

4) Exhaust fan

5) An outlet by the vanity

Also, is it recommended to have 2 outlets by the vanity, one on each side. It is about 50 inches long. Does an extra outlet add to my load requirements. I guess the worst situation is that a hair dryer is operational in addition to the other lights. Being I gutted, am I required to run a new #12 circuit to the room, or is #14 adequate? From what I understand, lighting is generally neglible in terms of load? Also, the fan and the light in the shower, I was planning to run off a GFCI outlet. Is this what you recommend over a GFCI circuit breaker? I was in HD and the breakers are pricey.

Thanks.

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Comments (6)

hendricus
19 years ago
No. Leave the circuit you have as is except for the outlet, remove that and run a new #12 line for the outlets. Put in at least 2 and that will not be enough in short order. Hair dryer, styling wand, electric toothbrush, jet pick are just 4 items and loads up all the outlets in a hurry. Use GFI on the outlets and you don't need a GFI breaker.
pete_p_ny
Original Author
19 years ago
What if running a new 12 circuit is not doable, my basement is sheetrock on the ceiling and very far from the panel. Doing that would be major work. Does code require a 12 circuit for a bathroom once it is gutted? My whole house is #14 from the 1960's.
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normel
19 years ago
The NEC requires a dedicated 20A circuit to supply bathroom receptacles and requires that these receptacles be GFCI protected. You may share this circuit with the lights and other items in a single bathroom, or with receptacles only in multiple bathrooms.

When you "gut" or modify an existing installation, you must reinstall to meet the current code. If you have a permit and are having this inspected, then you will have to install the required circuit in order to pass. To do anything else would be in violation.
pete_p_ny
Original Author
19 years ago
I guess I will need to figure this one out now. Seems like I will need to do some sheetrock patching work around the house. I was not planning on getting it inspected.
DavidR
19 years ago
I was not planning on getting it inspected.

Just be aware of potential problems when it comes time to sell your house. You could be required to bring the installation up to code then. When you're racing to close on a home sale, it's a bad time to be chasing down bids. These situations tend to get expensive fast as you grab the first contractor who's free.

If you're not pulling a permit, at least do the job to code.
buzzsaw
19 years ago
Frankly, remodels can be a bit of a gray area regarding codes and the only opinion that matters is an AHJ's. Never hurts to call them and ask them questions - whether pulling a permit or not. Don't let them scare you. They are there to help. If you feel that intimidated/paranoid give him a fake name, and address. But believe me that they have better things to do than follow up to see if a permit was pulled or not on every call they field.
If you are not planning on doing ANY work to the electrical, then you are likely 'grandfathered' in as to which electrical codes affect you and what must be met. However, only your AHJ can answer this ? for sure. Nevertheless, best practices says you should look to upgrade your electrical service to latest codes anyway.