Lights in bathroom on load side of gfci receptacle. Yes or no?
- Thread starter darekelec
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JDBrown
Senior Member
- Location
- California
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer
I think you may have misread the question. If I understand correctly, the OP isn't asking if he can connect the bathroom lights to the same circuit as the bathroom receptacles; he's asking if he can connect the bathroom lights to the load side of the bathroom GFCI.
I haven't seen any NEC requirements about this one way or the other; however, I have heard of Inspectors requiring the lights to NOT be connected to the load side of the GFCI. The reasoning was that you don't want people to be left in the dark if the GFCI trips. I never found out if it was a local amendment or just the Inspector saying, "I want it this way and I'm not approving the installation until you do what I say." Regardless, I think it's good practice to avoid connecting the lights to the load side of the GFCI.
growler
Senior Member
- Location
- Atlanta,GA
What about a metal bar light that's mounted above the mirror where anyone ( of normal height )could easily stick their finger in a socket when changing lamps (people don't like to change lamps in the dark).
I thought the idea was to protect idiots from themselves.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
I think the op needs to give more info. Is the light on the bathroom recep. cir.? Does it feed nothing else?
Also there is nothing in the NEC that stops one from installing a light on the load side of a gfci. Some shower lights req. gfci protection but these are manufacturers requirements not NEC.
NYC may have a code on it.... I believe some areas require the switch for a bathroom light to be outside the bathroom.... so who knows but not an NEC issue
Also there is nothing in the NEC that stops one from installing a light on the load side of a gfci. Some shower lights req. gfci protection but these are manufacturers requirements not NEC.
NYC may have a code on it.... I believe some areas require the switch for a bathroom light to be outside the bathroom.... so who knows but not an NEC issue
- Location
- Logan, Utah
From a strict NEC standpoint you can install the light on the loadside of the GFCI. I am not sure if there is a NYC amendment that would prohibit it.
Chris
Well, the load side of the bathroom GFCI should be on a 20a bath circuit, correct? And would that not involve the code reference I quoted?
JDBrown
Senior Member
- Location
- California
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer
Of course it involves the code reference you quoted; I never meant to suggest otherwise. I was just pointing out that his question was about connecting to line side vs. load side of the GFCI, not about connecting to the 20A bathroom circuit in general. I apologize if my earlier post was worded in an offensive manner; it was not intended to be.
I was never offended. If you want to offend me, you're gonna have to try a whole lot harder than that! :lol:
I did my research and conclusion is it is not prohibited by NEC to have lights in same bath connected to load side of gfci when same bath is supplied by individual 20 amp circuit.
In my area inspectors like to have it on load side and in other areas they like to have it on line side.
Load side reasoning is for increased protection to shock.
Line side reasoning is for not leaving a person in dark bathroom.
In my area inspectors like to have it on load side and in other areas they like to have it on line side.
Load side reasoning is for increased protection to shock.
Line side reasoning is for not leaving a person in dark bathroom.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
A good inspector should apply the code as written and not based on what he thinks is a good idea.
jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
chris kennedy
Senior Member
- Location
- Miami Fla.
- Occupation
- 60 yr old tool twisting electrician
Your ice cream tastes like dirt.
How would you know? You've never had any! :happysad:
chris kennedy
Senior Member
- Location
- Miami Fla.
- Occupation
- 60 yr old tool twisting electrician
I'm susposed to be there now but an issue arose here.
Now, back to the topic at hand.
Now, back to the topic at hand.
- Location
- Logan, Utah
A good inspector should apply the code as written and not based on what he thinks is a good idea.
Well said.
Chris
jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
A good inspector should apply the code as written and not based on what he thinks is a good idea.
Agreed on both accounts.:thumbsup:
- Location
- Simi Valley, CA
He's right, you will.
A good inspector should apply the code as written and not based on what he thinks is a good idea.
I hate inspectors.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Any chance you are from MA at some time?
MA has an amendment to that effect more or less.
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