Is this legal

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jm1470

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I am wiring a bathroom for a customer I just finish the rough and was unsure if this is legal I could not find this in the code book.(please note we are still using nec 2005). The customer wants a light over the vanity and a light in the shower. They also want a fan/ligh/heat combo install over the toilet. Due to limited space in the bathroom I put a three gang plastic nail on box on the wall by the door. I ran 14/2 to the vanity light and the shower I then ran 14/2 back to the panel. The fan light heat combo calls for a 20 amp circuit so I ran one piece of 12/2 and one piece of 12/3 to the unit then ran 12/2 back to the panel. My question is can the 12/2 and 12/3 be in the same box with the 14/2's or should they be in separate boxes.
 
Should not be an issue. I'm pretty sure, but I didn't look it up, that since the different circuits are not on the same yoke of the switch that the breakers don't need to be handle tied.
 
jm1470 said:
I am wiring a bathroom for a customer I just finish the rough and was unsure if this is legal I could not find this in the code book.(please note we are still using nec 2005). The customer wants a light over the vanity and a light in the shower. They also want a fan/ligh/heat combo install over the toilet. Due to limited space in the bathroom I put a three gang plastic nail on box on the wall by the door. I ran 14/2 to the vanity light and the shower I then ran 14/2 back to the panel. The fan light heat combo calls for a 20 amp circuit so I ran one piece of 12/2 and one piece of 12/3 to the unit then ran 12/2 back to the panel. My question is can the 12/2 and 12/3 be in the same box with the 14/2's or should they be in separate boxes.
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they can be together. Just check for box fill. Don't overload the box.
 
steelersman said:
they can be together. Just check for box fill. Don't overload the box.
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Thanks I didn't think about box fill I will do the calcuation and make sure
 
jm1470 said:
The fan light heat combo calls for a 20 amp circuit so I ran one piece of 12/2 and one piece of 12/3 to the unit ....
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Just make sure you're not using the neutral from one cable to pair with the hot in another cable. Most of these fan light heat units have multiple neutrals available at the junction box, to allow you to use the cables you did. Some do not, which can necessitate ENT, Greenfield, or 12/4NM.
 
stickboy1375 said:
No one has a problem with this setup?
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J-boxes on the type of fixture he's installing are much like the ones for any other fan, and/or recessed can - listed... and should say what sized cables and how many. As for volume - name a fan that has a j-box sized per code????? >PLEASE< :D most seem to be ~3.5 cubic inches. Far less than would be required for say 3 #14's. Most recessed cans will say something like "2-12/2's IN - 2-12/2's OUT" or some other variation.... But are often decently sized. Fans like Broan, Nutone or Panasonic give you a j-box in a little corner that you could only put one conductor in, if they were done by the sizing requirement....
 
e57 said:
J-boxes on the type of fixture he's installing are much like the ones for any other fan, and/or recessed can - listed... and should say what sized cables and how many. As for volume - name a fan that has a j-box sized per code????? >PLEASE< :D most seem to be ~3.5 cubic inches. Far less than would be required for say 3 #14's. Most recessed cans will say something like "2-12/2's IN - 2-12/2's OUT" or some other variation.... But are often decently sized. Fans like Broan, Nutone or Panasonic give you a j-box in a little corner that you could only put one conductor in, if they were done by the sizing requirement....
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dude relax I was talking about the volume of the 3 gang switch box not the jbox on the heat/vent/light combo. Also most fan boxes are larger thatn 3/5 cubic inches. Don't know where you've been.
 
This is one of the few instances where I like to use a short piece of Smurf between the box and the fan/heat/light unit. Of course greenfield will work too, but then you need a metallic box, don't you? Those triple stack switches take a lot of cu. in., the instructions tell you the min cu in needed for the installation.

Lately, I have been using some really big 2 & 3 gang boxes for kitchens and baths where they want it all. Can't remember the mfgr. but they are blue (not Carlon) and the 2g are like 52 cu in and the 3g almost 80 cu in. They also have slots in them for dividers.

Theyr'e great for undercab lighting, you can run a separate whip to each fixture location without worrying about box fill.
 
Personally, I ditch the stack-switch and install 3 seperate toggle switches when I put those fan/light/heat units in. For some reason, those stack switches just burn up with the heater load.
 
Stack switches.....

Stack switches.....

Personally, I ditch the stack-switch and install 3 seperate toggle switches when I put those fan/light/heat units in. For some reason, those stack switches just burn up with the heater load.
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I agree with 480sparky. Unless the customer specifically states stack switches, the 3 togglles are easier and will look more professional and 'cleaner' when trim out is finished. The stack sw's take up room. Trust me on this one. Stick to the seperate toggles.:D
 
sparky723 said:
I agree with 480sparky. Unless the customer specifically states stack switches, the 3 togglles are easier and will look more professional and 'cleaner' when trim out is finished. The stack sw's take up room. Trust me on this one. Stick to the seperate toggles.:D
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Then he would need a 5 gang box the way I understand his post. vanity light, shower light, and heat/vent/light. That in my opinion isn't the way to go in a bathroom. I think he's on the right track.
 
stickboy1375 said:
No one has a problem with this setup?
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i do, but there is nothing wrong by doing that way, but why waste wire like that, just run a 12/3 from the switch box to the fan. black switchs the light and the red wire will switch the heat and fan at the same time. i don't know.
 
cloudymacleod said:
i do, but there is nothing wrong by doing that way, but why waste wire like that, just run a 12/3 from the switch box to the fan. black switchs the light and the red wire will switch the heat and fan at the same time. i don't know.
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If you're running the vent and the heat at the same time, you kinda defeating the purpose of the heat unit aren't you?...unless you're using the heat sonewhere else:grin: .

For the OP's set up I would use a 4 gang box with a double switch for the vent/heat.
Keeps the confusion down...IMO.

steve
 
cloudymacleod said:
i do, but there is nothing wrong by doing that way, but why waste wire like that, just run a 12/3 from the switch box to the fan. black switchs the light and the red wire will switch the heat and fan at the same time. i don't know.
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That would be fine except for in the summer time when it is hot and they need don't need anymore heat. They also don't believe in air conditioner if you believe that.


I also don't have enough room for a five gang box so I purchase the biggest cubic inch box 3 gang that I could find
 
jm1470 said:
That would be fine except for in the summer time when it is hot and they need don't need anymore heat. They also don't believe in air conditioner if you believe that.


I also don't have enough room for a five gang box so I purchase the biggest cubic inch box 3 gang that I could find
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true, wasn't thinking about the summer.
 
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