Bathroom fan over shower. GFCI?

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JoeNorm

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Have two bathroom fans planned for over the bath/shower. Already bought and installed Arc-fault only for the bathroom lighting circuit which is where the fans are powered.

I was watching a Panasonic install video and they mentioned the fan needing to be on a GFCI in this situation. It hadn't occurred to me.

Should I break down and buy two dual function breakers for this? Move fans(still could)? Ignore it and leave as Arc-fault only? Something else?

Thanks
 
and the instructions may require being GFCI protected, my panasonic required that. I used a AFCI and then a GFCI for the receptacles and Fan, put the lights on a separate circuit.
 
The GFCI protection is not required by the NEC for a fan over a shower but may be required by the fan manufacturer. If required by the manufacturer you will need to provide it. Changing the CB might be the easiest method.
 
For the longest time I was under the impression that if an exhaust fan were placed within the shower footprint it had to be GFCI protected. In fact, I remember being told that in a CEU class. That turned out to be inaccurate and merely a manufacturer's suggestion. That said, I no longer place them inside the shower footprint and that way I avoid any potential confrontation with an EI who may believe otherwise. Another reason is that the fan unit has to be serviceable. If you had to repair or replace the unit you now have to place a ladder inside the tub which could sometimes be a bit awkward.

Just my 2 cents worth.
 
I would limit the GFCI protection to the fan unit to not have all the lights in the bathroom go out if there is an issue with the fan.
I try to have at least one set of lights not GFCI protected.
 
Knuckle Dragger said:
I would limit the GFCI protection to the fan unit to not have all the lights in the bathroom go out if there is an issue with the fan.
I try to have at least one set of lights not GFCI protected.
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IIRC Massachusetts has an amendment requiring multiple light circuits or a non GFCI light circuit in bathrooms. Seems like one of those kinda ridiculous overthinking things to worry about IMO. I always imagine this scene that could be out of the naked gun movies where the lights go out and someone is shampooing their hair and they freak and get all tangled in the shower curtain, , then are flailing around on the floor pull off the toilet filler pipe and water is spraying everywhere, then knock over the big container of razor blades off the vanity........
 
How about one of those combo light switch/receptacle GFCI units?
I'm assuming if you wire the shower fan thru that GFCI switch it is GFCI protected?
 
powerpete69 said:
How about one of those combo light switch/receptacle GFCI units?
I'm assuming if you wire the shower fan thru that GFCI switch it is GFCI protected?
Click to expand...
I think with most you actually need to connect it to load side GFCI terminal of the unit - switch has it's own leads that connect to nothing but the switch on the few I have had my hands on.
 
Thanks all, probably just going to shell out for dual function breakers. Although the lighting/fan to the bath is not dedicated, it's shared with a neighboring bedroom. So if there is a GFCI issue, it's not just the bath lights that go out...........
 
JoeNorm said:
Thanks all, probably just going to shell out for dual function breakers. Although the lighting/fan to the bath is not dedicated, it's shared with a neighboring bedroom. So if there is a GFCI issue, it's not just the bath lights that go out...........
Click to expand...

I used to try to keep as few things as possible/only what is necessary on GFCI, but I really dont go out of my way to do that anymore and have had no problems. Most everything is AFCI now anyway which is more likely to be a "problem" and GFCI actually does something for safety. I use DF breakers liberally now.
 
electrofelon said:
IIRC Massachusetts has an amendment requiring multiple light circuits or a non GFCI light circuit in bathrooms. Seems like one of those kinda ridiculous overthinking things to worry about IMO. I always imagine this scene that could be out of the naked gun movies where the lights go out and someone is shampooing their hair and they freak and get all tangled in the shower curtain, , then are flailing around on the floor pull off the toilet filler pipe and water is spraying everywhere, then knock over the big container of razor blades off the vanity........
Click to expand...

Too funny... Those were the type of scenarios we would joke about with that code rule.
 
kwired said:
I think with most you actually need to connect it to load side GFCI terminal of the unit - switch has it's own leads that connect to nothing but the switch on the few I have had my hands on.
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So run the hot and neutral thru the line and load portion of the GFCI outlet and then simply run the hot thru the switch.
Copy that.
 
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