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daver828

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In a residential setting, the bathroom outlets must be fed with a 20 A circuit. And according to the NEC (I can't think of the number) this "can have no other outlets". But, the exception says that if the circuit serves only one bathroom, the circuit can supply other outlets in that bathroom. Isn't this correct?

So, does this mean that a 20 A circuit must be pulled to supply ONLY the receptacles in that one bathroom? Or, as some that I work with tell me, does it mean that this same circuit may supply the lights in that bathroom as well? Say for instance I have a bathroom that has a vanity sconce light, a recessed can, and a bath fan, and two receptacles adjacent to the vanity. Is this one 20 A circuit to be used for only outlets or can feed the lighting also?

Second question, the phrase "no other outlets", means cannot be jumped from bath to bath supplying only the receptacles?

Third question: The outdoor receptacles, do they have to be on their own circuit as well? Or can they be fed from a circuit which has a light load on it and install GFCI receptacles? Would any of you others feed an outdoor outlet from a lighting circuit? A living room receptacle circuit which only has 4 or 5 receptacles on it? What are options or recommendations from others?

Thank you for any help.
 
The 20 amp receptacle is only allowed to feed the receptacles in bathrooms. It can feed through to another bathroom to feed the receptacles there but it cannot have lighting or receptacles that are not in the bathroom on that circuit.
 
3rd answer-- outside receptacles can be fed from a 15 map circuit or a lighting circuit-- no issues there but not from the bathroom receptacles.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
3rd answer-- outside receptacles can be fed from a 15 map circuit or a lighting circuit-- no issues there but not from the bathroom receptacles.
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What about the laundry circuit or the 2 SA circuits?? ;)
 
You have two choices for a bathroom:

1. You can have a 20A circuit feed ONLY the bathroom receptacles, with the lights, fan, etc fed from one or more separate circuits. If you opt for the receptacle only choice, the 20A circuit can feed the receptacles in more than one bath.

2. You can put the lights, fan, etc. on the 20A circuit with the receptacles. However, if you do, this circuit is limited to one bathroom.

With all the high wattage items around these days, I believe it's a poor design choice to feed more than one full bathroom with a single 20A receptacle circuit, although I don't see a problem using the circuit to feed a receptacle in a half bath that isn't as likely to be heavily used.
 
Mike03a3 said:
You can put the lights, fan, etc. on the 20A circuit with the receptacles. However, if you do, this circuit is limited to one bathroom.
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i disagree-- the exception to 210.10 (C)(3) refers to cord and plug equipment and utilization equip. not lights

edit to correct typo--- article 210.11(C)(3)--
 
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LOL ...I was waiting to see how far I could go with you here....sorry for busting your chops there:D
 
I dunno if I'm done with you yet....
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Mike03a3 said:
2. You can put the lights, fan, etc. on the 20A circuit with the receptacles. However, if you do, this circuit is limited to one bathroom.
Dennis Alwon said:
i disagree-- the exception to 210.10 (C)(3) refers to cord and plug equipment and utilization equip. not lights
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
That doesn't sit right with me.

Mr. Holt had a graphic or two on the main page's "Free Stuff" section - but I can't access it to illustrate my opinion......

- - - - Please Stand-By - - - -
- - - - We are experiencing technical difficulties - - - -
:smile:
​
 
Dennis Alwon said:
i disagree-- the exception to 210.10 (C)(3) refers to cord and plug equipment and utilization equip. not lights

edit to correct typo--- article 210.11(C)(3)--
Click to expand...


The exception refers to outlets. A fixture is a lighting outlet.
 
celtic said:
I dunno if I'm done with you yet....
box.gif


That doesn't sit right with me.

Mr. Holt had a graphic or two on the main page's "Free Stuff" section - but I can't access it to illustrate my opinion......

- - - - Please Stand-By - - - -
- - - - We are experiencing technical difficulties - - - -
:smile:
​
Click to expand...

Dennis is likely thinking about "Appliance" branch circuits. Look at "Branch Circuit, Appliance", in article 100.

The relevant section is 210.11 (C) (3), as others have pointed out, and that refers to 210.23 (A) (1) and (A) (2). There's no restriction, more or less, on what can be put on that circuit other than that the load not exceed the ampacity of the circuit and whatever restrictions on what you put where.

If you can find a wet location rated disco ball, you're free to install that along with your heated toilet seat and electric toilet paper dispenser, provided you limit that to a single bathroom. Which is carefully hidden from your friends and neighbors.

(And on more careful review, I'm not sure who Celtic is responding to ...)
 
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Mike03a3 said:
You have two choices for a bathroom:

1. You can have a 20A circuit feed ONLY the bathroom receptacles, with the lights, fan, etc fed from one or more separate circuits. If you opt for the receptacle only choice, the 20A circuit can feed the receptacles in more than one bath.

2. You can put the lights, fan, etc. on the 20A circuit with the receptacles. However, if you do, this circuit is limited to one bathroom.

With all the high wattage items around these days, I believe it's a poor design choice to feed more than one full bathroom with a single 20A receptacle circuit, although I don't see a problem using the circuit to feed a receptacle in a half bath that isn't as likely to be heavily used.
Click to expand...

This is the correct answer. Disregard everything else you read here. Saved me from retyping. :smile:

I'm surprised there is so much confusion on this still.
 
I stand corrected-- on rereading 210.23 (A)(2) it appears to permit lighting. Julie I knew you could put toilet seats, towel warmers etc. but I was unaware that lighting was allowed. Most of us use 14 wire for lighting anyway but for those who still use 12 gauge I guess you can do it. I don't like it but I don't write the codes.
 
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