Exhaust Fan Switch Leg

[kwired]

I think we are having a communication break down.

You might be right.

300.3(B)(3) allows the conductors of a circuit to be run separately under the conditions indicated.

Basically, NM and plastic boxes will get it done.

After reading things again, I agree, but the chances of the fan in the OP being non metallic is not that great, but he could still possibly enter both cables through same opening with a fitting designed for both cables and still be compliant. Now he still has a problem with a switched leg being a white conductor.

 

[Ponchik]

IIRC, the Panasonic instructions call for an individual circuit for the heater which would make the whole thing clear. I always run a 12/2 for the heater and a 14/3 for the rest. For the one customer I had that wanted the night light hooked up, I ran a separate 14/2 since I can't get 14/4 easily around here.

So you have one 20A circuit for the heater and one 15A circuit for the light/N.light/heater?

 

[PetrosA]

So you have one 20A circuit for the heater and one 15A circuit for the light/N.light/heater?

That's the way I've done it. IIRC, the heater pulls 1600W or 1650W plus the blower. Add the light and exhaust fan and you're over 1800 W total.

Edit to add: I must be mixing up the Panasonics and the Broan/Nutones. I just checked the Panasonic specs for a few of their fan/light/heat units and the heaters only pull 1400W, so maybe you can get it all on a 20A circuit. My bad...

Edit again: Now that I'm checking the Nutone heaters, they come in under 1800W total as well. Either I'm totally remembering the specs wrong, or there were older models that required two circuits. Either way, I apologize for steering you wrong.

 

[Ponchik]

That's the way I've done it. IIRC, the heater pulls 1600W or 1650W plus the blower. Add the light and exhaust fan and you're over 1800 W total.

Edit to add: I must be mixing up the Panasonics and the Broan/Nutones. I just checked the Panasonic specs for a few of their fan/light/heat units and the heaters only pull 1400W, so maybe you can get it all on a 20A circuit. My bad...

I thought 210.7 would apply to your installation, but apparently it does not.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

After reading things again, I agree, but the chances of the fan in the OP being non metallic is not that great, but he could still possibly enter both cables through same opening with a fitting designed for both cables and still be compliant. Now he still has a problem with a switched leg being a white conductor.

I have never seen a plastic panasonic fan-- we use them all the time

 

[kwired]

That's the way I've done it. IIRC, the heater pulls 1600W or 1650W plus the blower. Add the light and exhaust fan and you're over 1800 W total.

Edit to add: I must be mixing up the Panasonics and the Broan/Nutones. I just checked the Panasonic specs for a few of their fan/light/heat units and the heaters only pull 1400W, so maybe you can get it all on a 20A circuit. My bad...

Edit again: Now that I'm checking the Nutone heaters, they come in under 1800W total as well. Either I'm totally remembering the specs wrong, or there were older models that required two circuits. Either way, I apologize for steering you wrong.

That is why they require a 20 amp circuit - all the components on same 20 amp circuit is not overloading the circuit.

I have never seen a plastic panasonic fan-- we use them all the time

You haven't seen something that you use all the time? Do you install them blindfolded?

Do units with heaters in them have plastic housing?

Only exhaust fans of this type I have ever seen with a non metallic housing were really cheap units. I recall having a service call once for one of those where motor failed and melted enough of the housing that replacement was the only option, and they were possibly lucky it did not start a fire.