Bathroom GFCI's

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JDaws

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We were having a shop discussion about the common practice of feeding a 20-amp bathroom GFCI in a residence and using the line/load feature to feed a second bathroom GFCI. Allowed? We have mixed opinions in the shop.
 
It's allowed so long as there are no loads other than bathroom receptacles (i.e., no lights, no fans, no receptacles outside bathrooms) on that same circuit.
 
Being allowed does not mean that it is a good design, or that it will even work in some situations. We need to use good judgement, and even plan for the unexpected sometimes. The key point here is that good judgement comes from experience and this experience mostly comes from bad judgement.
 
charlie b said:
It's allowed so long as there are no loads other than bathroom receptacles (i.e., no lights, no fans, no receptacles outside bathrooms) on that same circuit.
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To build on what Charlie said (I'm not arguing, as I know he knows this), if there are two receptacles inside the same bathroom, then the circuit could supply lights and equipment inside the same bathroom.

You could supply the lights and fan first, and then hit the first GFCI, and then hit the second GFCI (all within the same bathroom) on the load side, if you so desired. If the circuit supplied receptacles in more than one bathroom, you would only be allowed to supply the receptacles, and the other outlets would have to be on a different circuit. (See 210.11(C)(3).)

If we were talking about one bathroom with two receptacles and lights and a fan, and you put the lights on the load side of the GFCI, that would be legal, but most would consider that a bad design from a usability standpoint. A cord-and-plug-connected appliance could trip the GFCI and leave the user in the dark.
 
I always wire each bath outlet seperate from all others (dedicated) except on ocassion Ill load one bath to the guest bath if it is seperate from any bdrm area. (Basic powder room)Two hair dryers at the same time are probable, and @ 15 - 1800 watts each pop goes the gfi (Then comes the questions from the unhappy homeowner)
 
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normbac said:
I always wire each bath outlet seperate from all others (dedicated) except on ocassion Ill load one bath to the guest bath if it is seperate from any bdrm area. (Basic powder room)Two hair dryers at the same time are probable, and @ 15 - 1800 watts each pop goes the gfi (Then comes the questions from the unhappy homeowner)
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If thats what the HO is willing to pay for then am all in!
 
Bathroom GFCI's

georgestolz said:
To build on what Charlie said (I'm not arguing, as I know he knows this), if there are two receptacles inside the same bathroom, then the circuit could supply lights and equipment inside the same bathroom.

You could supply the lights and fan first, and then hit the first GFCI, and then hit the second GFCI (all within the same bathroom) on the load side, if you so desired. If the circuit supplied receptacles in more than one bathroom, you would only be allowed to supply the receptacles, and the other outlets would have to be on a different circuit. (See 210.11(C)(3).)

If we were talking about one bathroom with two receptacles and lights and a fan, and you put the lights on the load side of the GFCI, that would be legal, but most would consider that a bad design from a usability standpoint. A cord-and-plug-connected appliance could trip the GFCI and leave the user in the dark.
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I agree with George, his is the best explanation. Semper Fi
 
normbac said:
I always wire each bath outlet seperate from all others (dedicated) except on ocassion Ill load one bath to the guest bath if it is seperate from any bdrm area. (Basic powder room)Two hair dryers at the same time are probable, and @ 15 - 1800 watts each pop goes the gfi (Then comes the questions from the unhappy homeowner)
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When I was wiring houses in the mid 80s, standard practice was ONE 15a circuit to the garage GFCI receptacle, an outside receptacle, then on to each and every powder room and bathroom receptacle, each in a single-gang box, (because GFCI protected circuits couldn't be intermingled with non-gfci'd circuits.) Didn't matter if there was 2 bathrooms or 3 or 4 bathrooms.

Although I wouldn't, some wiremen put additional outlets on this circuit.

Remember, code prior to requiring GFCI protection in bathrooms treated bathroom lights and receptacles no different than any other ordinary convenience outlet. And oftentimes, wiremen treated them no different even after the GFCI requirement. 10-14 outlets on each 15a circuit was and still is the norm.
 
JDaws said:
We were having a shop discussion about the common practice of feeding a 20-amp bathroom GFCI in a residence and using the line/load feature to feed a second bathroom GFCI. Allowed? We have mixed opinions in the shop.
Click to expand...


the simple "code" answer to this question is YES, it is permitted.
210.11(C)(3) and 210.11(C)(3)exception. In reading both together, one can conclude that the scenario you have explained is permitted.


Design as some here have put forth is just that, design. Not code requirements.

Note: a lot of times, proper design of work installed (beyond code) will determine if you get paid or not. :wink:
 
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