Bathroom Lights & GFIs

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iggy

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Is anyone aware of a code provision against putting a dwelling unit bathroom light on the GFI protected side of the receptacle, or is it just not done for common sense reasons?

(Here's the whole picture - Client wants those light/fan timer switches which leave the fan to run after the switch is shut off. Fan is IN the shower, so has to be GFI protected. That means circuit going to the single hot line input on the timer switch will have to be from the load side of GFI receptacle, to protect the fan. One of the two load leads from the switch will go to the fan, the other load lead will go to the light. But if the GFI trips, fan/light/receptacle go off...)

Thanks.
 
Re: Bathroom Lights & GFIs

I can't speak to your wiring method, as I don't know how those timers and other stuff are connected.

But I can say there is no code provision that forbids providing any specific component with GFCI protection. So long as you do not exceed the GFCI receptacle's rating, by connecting too much stuff on its load side, there is no code provision that forbids connecting any specific equipment from its load side.

However, there is a code provision that says you can put a bathroom receptacle on the same circuit as other equipment in the same bathroom. But if you do, then that circuit is not allowed to supply anything outside of that bathroom.
 
Re: Bathroom Lights & GFIs

Add a light over the vanity ahead of the gfci or on another circuit. This will take care of the no light problem if the gfci trips.
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No can do. Owner wants the fan and the light (2 separate items, not a fan/light combo)to operate together (i.e. on one switch), to force the tenants to use the fan. Otherwise, mold (the new asbestos...) becomes a problem. And the timer switch he wants has a single line, and two load wires. Which means, when we feed the single line wire with GFI protected power, the load wires to the light (and the fan) are GFI protected, and will lose power when the GFI trips.

I think charlie b is right (except in the case of NFPA72, which does not allow certain fire protection items on GFI circuits) there should not be a provision against GFI protection for most things.

Whether it makes sense or not... another question.
 
Re: Bathroom Lights & GFIs

Well, that's what you get when you put a fan in a shower!!!! Nothing but problems. What the owner proposes would be much easier if the fan were outside of the shower area so that GFCI protection would be a moot point.......so much for common sense.
 
Re: Bathroom Lights & GFIs

Iggy, there's your answer. You can place the bath light and fan on a GFCI protector. It can be the bath receptacle if that circuit does not feed anything else, such as other bath receptacles.

Otherwise, you need to find another way to GFCI-protect the bath switch. The basic rule for GFCI's in baths is: either only bathroom receptacles, or only one bathroom, and nothing else.
 
Re: Bathroom Lights & GFIs

Iggy, from what I've read about moisture mitigation to prevent mold is the fan needs to run about 20 minutes after the shower or bath. So, IMO, the fan & light on the same switch on & off at the same time is a moot point. Ron
 
Re: Bathroom Lights & GFIs

Iggy. I have mentioned this before on another thread, but we have a local code here that says that all switches located within 5' of a tub or shower have to be GFCI protected. We just run them off the GFCI receptacle by the sink.

FWIW, I don't get it. The handle on switches are non-conductive. Also, nothing is said about switches located near the sink, just the tub or shower. :confused: But it is a city supplement to the code and strictly enforced.
 
Re: Bathroom Lights & GFIs

Well, that's what you get when you put a fan in a shower!!!! Nothing but problems. What the owner proposes would be much easier if the fan were outside of the shower area so that GFCI protection would be a moot point.......so much for common sense.
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Due to the construction (concrete plank) locating the fan on the outside wall, which is the shower wall, is the only practical answer.

Iggy, from what I've read about moisture mitigation to prevent mold is the fan needs to run about 20 minutes after the shower or bath. So, IMO, the fan & light on the same switch on & off at the same time is a moot point. Ron
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That's the function of the timer switch - it runs the fan for 20 minutes (adjustable, I think) after the switch is shut off. (Of course, it will take weeks for the "my bathroom fan won't shut off" calls to stop...)

Thanks all. I guess the bathroom light will just have to go off if the GFI trips...
 
Re: Bathroom Lights & GFIs

Originally posted by iggy:
I guess the bathroom light will just have to go off if the GFI trips...
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Why? Just pull it as you normally would, but pull the switchleg to the fan to a GFI first.

Power in > Special Switch > GFI > Fan
Power in > Special Switch > Light

Find a spot for the GFI where it's not too objectionable, but not too forgettable. I'd recommend a dead front.
 
Re: Bathroom Lights & GFIs

Originally posted by georgestolz:
Originally posted by iggy:
I guess the bathroom light will just have to go off if the GFI trips...
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Why? Just pull it as you normally would, but pull the switchleg to the fan to a GFI first.
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That would defeat the following purpose:

Originally posted by iggy:
No can do. Owner wants the fan and the light (2 separate items, not a fan/light combo)to operate together (i.e. on one switch), to force the tenants to use the fan.
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Re: Bathroom Lights & GFIs

Originally posted by georgestolz:
Power in > Special Switch > GFI >
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Might have to do a little research to see if it is allowable to install / use a GFCI in that way.

Wouldn't you have to hit reset each time it was powered up?
 
Re: Bathroom Lights & GFIs

Like I said, we often connect the switch to the bathroom GFCI (and no, it does not trip the GFCI when it is toggled).

Another cool trick is to use this Switch/GFCI and put it in a switch box by it self.
 
Re: Bathroom Lights & GFIs

Originally posted by Minuteman:
Like I said, we often connect the switch to the bathroom GFCI (and no, it does not trip the GFCI when it is toggled).
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Minuteman, George was suggesting to place the GFCI on the load side of the switch not the line side as you describe. :)
 
Re: Bathroom Lights & GFIs

Originally posted by Minuteman:
Right Bob, we do it all the time. Got to. Read my other post. :roll:
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You do what all the time?

Switch ahead of the GFCI or a switch after a GFCI? :confused:
 
Re: Bathroom Lights & GFIs

I put the GFCI on the load side of the switch to satisfy local code supplement that requires GFCI protection on all switches within 5' of a tub or shower.
 
Re: Bathroom Lights & GFIs

Originally posted by Minuteman:
I put the GFCI on the load side of the switch to satisfy local code supplement that requires GFCI protection on all switches within 5' of a tub or shower.
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How does that provide GFCI protection for the switch?
 
Re: Bathroom Lights & GFIs

Originally posted by Minuteman:
I put the GFCI on the load side of the switch to satisfy local code supplement that requires GFCI protection on all switches within 5' of a tub or shower.
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Regardless of where the fixture is, or if it is a light or HVL, the switches have to be GFCI within 5' of the tub or shower
 
Re: Bathroom Lights & GFIs

Originally posted by iwire:
How does that provide GFCI protection for the switch?
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What is it Bob, a brain fart?

Anything connected on the load side (or downstream) of a GFCI would be GFCI protected. Just like plugging it in to the GFCI.
 
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