New construction code questions

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derek c

Member
I am a non-electrical professional and I just purchased a new home in the Jacksonville, FL area and have a couple of questions regarding code.

The first is about GFCI breakers and the circuits they cover. I have 2 bedrooms on the first floor and 2 bedrooms on the second floor, each connected by a jack and jill bathroom. The outlets in the baths are protected by GFCI breakers, but so is the entire circuit. This means that if the GFCI is tripped both bedrooms and the bath all go black :shock: , instant darkness!! I always thought, being the novice I am, that the lights were to be separate from the GFCI outlets in order to prevent the "blackout". Am I barking up the wrong tree?

Secondly, I am replacing a cheap stock bathroom vanity light bar with an upgraded fixture and behold, no junction box!! Just a little blue inset on the end of the romex to prevent the fixture from chaffing the insulation. Again, is this to code? Any and all responses appreciated. Thanks.

Derek
 
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bthielen

Guest
Re: New construction code questions

Per the latest code, the bathroom receptacles are required to be on a dedicated 20A circuit with GFCI protection. The bathroom lighting may be part of the general lighting circuits. For bedrooms, all 15A and 20A outlets are required to be protected with AFCI protection. This includes lights and receptacles. There is debate whether this includes the smoke detection system, which is also required by code. (See AFCI forum topic Arc Fault In Bedrooms)

Bob
 
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daverz

Member
Re: New construction code questions

Derek...

First, the 1993 NEC allowed restroom receptacle branch circuits to supply other outlets. That practice was prohibited in the 1996 edition, article 210-52(d). In the 2002 edition, article 210.11(C)(3) is your reference.

Second, there is no code that requires an outlet box at a light fixture. The method you describe is allowed and is quite common. It is required though that the light fixture be designed and approved for the application. The vanity bar that you described and most fluorscent strips are ok for this type of installation. The intent is that the wiring connections are enclosed in a non-flammable enclosure. Wires sticking out of the back of a light strip, spliced to romex wires, and shoved back into the hole in the wall would not be ok.

Dave
 
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bphgravity

Senior Member
Location
Florida
Re: New construction code questions

I would advise that you hire a licensed and insured electrical contractor to evaluate the existing system and provide you with corrective procedures that would bring the home up to current code standards.

No offense, but the installation of a light fixture, as easy as it may seem, should only be done by a qualified electrician. This also applies to rewiring the GFCI circuits to meet your desired needs. :)
 
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derek c

Member
Re: New construction code questions

Thanks gentlemen.

The GFCI issue is being handled by the builder. Looks to be easily recified.

Dave, regarding the junction box: I would not define the wires as being "enclosed", i.e. enclosed enough and separated enough from the insulation to be fire resistant, more specifically, insulation less than 1 inch from the unenclosed wire nuts. I will address this with the builder, too.

FWIW, there was a junction box at this fixture (and there are boxes at all of the other bathroom lights - already replaced these fixtures). It was removed (unbeknownst to me) because the builder did not install 2 outlets for the two sink bowls and had to go back and tap teh other GFCI outlet and fish wires. I know there was a box, as the sheetrockers left the tell-tale box shaped cutout and there is a "spanner" bar still in the wall where the box fell between the two studs.

Thanks again for the help.

Derek
 
iwire

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
Re: New construction code questions

Originally posted by derek c:
I would not define the wires as being "enclosed", i.e. enclosed enough and separated enough from the insulation to be fire resistant, more specifically, insulation less than 1 inch from the unenclosed wire nuts.
Click to expand...
It sounds like your particular fixture might have needed a box, but on fixtures labeled ?Suitable for Use as a Raceway? and also ?Maximum of __?C permitted in raceway.? a box is not required.

NEC 300.15(J) and 410.31
 
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