Bathroom Circuit 210.11c3 exception

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kluchon

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I have recently encountered a problem with an inspector over using a dedicated bathroom receptacle circuit for lighting the bathroom. 210.11c3 exception says that as long as the required circuit only supplies that individual bathroom, other opens can be supplied in accordance with 210.23a, which allows lighting. The problem is that there is an exception to that rule that apparently doesn't allow lighting for bathroom circuits.
My company has been wiring bathroom circuits this way for many years and I have never had this problem. The code seems to double talk itself. For switches and lights too close to the shower/bath we have always GFCI protected them through the receptacle circuit. Have we been wrong all these years or am I missing a meaning here.
By the way this inspector has been allowing this type of wiring for years, and suddenly changed his mind about the rule. Meanwhile I have over 30 homes in his jurisdiction, prewired (roughed-in)this way, many in romex which will make it difficult to change.
Please help
Ken Luchon
A & B Electric

Edited to remove phone and e-mail information. Establish contact through the PMs (private messages) first and then give contact information.
Charlie

[ October 16, 2004, 09:51 AM: Message edited by: charlie ]
 
Re: Bathroom Circuit 210.11c3 exception

I don't see a problem with doing this. From what I read the NEC clearly allows this.
 
Re: Bathroom Circuit 210.11c3 exception

I too have used the dedicated circuit to supply a single bath.If i can't add the lights just what would i add ? The only benefit i seen in the exception was to keep from running 2 feeds to the bath.With lights not being allowed what good was the exception?just to add other receptacles ? Already could do that and all the receptacles of other baths.
 
Re: Bathroom Circuit 210.11c3 exception

210.23 a exception could be read in 2 ways
1 that it supplies only receptacles
2 that it doesn't supply receptacles in other areas but allows other outlets.
i think #2 is what they had in mind
I might add that while i do believe you can have just one 20 amp circuit for the bath that this might not be enough in some upscale master baths.Some baths have several recess cans and vanity lights as well as under vanity lights.With the posibility of his and her vanity ,shower,tub the load for lighting could reach 1,000 watts alone.This leaves very little for them big hair dryers.For a normal bath i think its the fastest way out.

[ October 16, 2004, 03:27 PM: Message edited by: jimwalker ]
 
Re: Bathroom Circuit 210.11c3 exception

Hmm. 210.23(A) Ex.

...............and bathroom branch circuits required in a dwelling unit(s) by 210.11(C)(1), (2) and (3) shall supply only the receptacle outlets specified in that section.

Maybe your inspector's onto something. Does this restrict the use of 210.11(C)(3) to only the receptacle outlets ? :eek:

Editted typo, not the one in 210.23(A) Ex.

[ October 16, 2004, 05:41 PM: Message edited by: physis ]
 
Re: Bathroom Circuit 210.11c3 exception

I feel the exception to 210.23(A) applies to the main rule of 210.11(C) and not the exception to that section. Obviously, if the code did not permit other outlets to be served from the bathroom circuit serving only one bathroom, then there would be no purpose for having the exception in the first place.
 
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