Outlets and Lights: Separate Circuits?

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ddecart

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Wiring a cabin addition in Northern Michigan that uses NEC 2014.

(New) local inspector is insisting that lighting and outlets be on separate breakers. For the life of me, I can't find any such reference in the NEC, and can't fathom a logical reason for such. Best I can figure is that he's mis-interpreting the requirement for every switch box to have a neutral.

Am I missing something?

This is also the "my way or the highway" type of inspector. The kind that say's he'll fail an inspection for a single ground wire lead being 5.5" instead of 6". Good fun.
 
Unless there is a local amendment he making up his own code. Ask for a code reference.
 
I think it's a good idea to have outlets and lights on separate circuits. You pop a breaker for an outlet, you still have lights. My basement's set up the same way-- power tools vs lights.
 
PaulMmn said:
I think it's a good idea to have outlets and lights on separate circuits. You pop a breaker for an outlet, you still have lights. My basement's set up the same way-- power tools vs lights.
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I don't disagree that it makes sense in that sort of circumstance (unless you do what my parents did 40 years ago and build a house with no lights, but 2 half-switched outlets in each bedroom).

It's also not that difficult to do. A little more wire to a different breaker. Easy peasy.

But from a CODE perspective? THAT is the mind-boggling part. Seems to be one of this guys things to focus on, too. Heard that from a neighbor up that that also dealt with him.
 
You didn’t put lights on any of the “small appliance branch circuits” did you?
maybe that’s what he’s giggin you on
 
ddecart said:
....But from a CODE perspective? THAT is the mind-boggling part. Seems to be one of this guys things to focus on, too. Heard that from a neighbor up that that also dealt with him.
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Barring a local amendment he is 100% wrong. Even worse he is abusing his position as an inspector to advance, at best, his misguided agenda and, at worst, his personal one. It won't do any good to get in his face, but like others have said I would ask him for a code reference, in addition I would ask for his supervisor's number.
 
mopowr steve said:
You didn’t put lights on any of the “small appliance branch circuits” did you?
maybe that’s what he’s giggin you on
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Nope. Haven't run anything to the panel yet, and I'm not mixing small appliance circuits and lighting. He dropped by unannounced when I wasn't there today and had an issue with ANY lights and outlets sharing a circuit. Bedroom lights and outlets. Closet/hallway lights and outlets.

He referenced "new motion control" code or something. That's why I can only imagine he's confused about neutral conductors in switch boxes.
 
ddecart said:
Wiring a cabin addition in Northern Michigan that uses NEC 2014.

(New) local inspector is insisting that lighting and outlets be on separate breakers. For the life of me, I can't find any such reference in the NEC, and can't fathom a logical reason for such. Best I can figure is that he's mis-interpreting the requirement for every switch box to have a neutral.

Am I missing something?

This is also the "my way or the highway" type of inspector. The kind that say's he'll fail an inspection for a single ground wire lead being 5.5" instead of 6". Good fun.
Click to expand...

Michigan has their own rules and they are mostly on the 2017 NEC, but I don't think that makes a difference.

You can call the state on the inspector if you think he is wrong. https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-76106-42245--,00.html
 
ddecart said:
... unless you do what my parents did 40 years ago and build a house with no lights, but 2 half-switched outlets in each bedroom.
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Hey! Hold on there. I do that all the time. I feel a ceiling light (the usual choice of which is a fixture that reminds me of a certain part of a women's anatomy) in the middle of the ceiling and especially paddle fans are "low class". Every trailer has them. Now, if you want to do "architectural" lighting that actually involves some thought and looks like something, that's another story. Otherwise just stick with table lamps. Much better lighting anyway.

-Hal
 
hbiss said:
Hey! Hold on there. I do that all the time. I feel a ceiling light (the usual choice of which is a fixture that reminds me of a certain part of a women's anatomy) in the middle of the ceiling and especially paddle fans are "low class". Every trailer has them. Now, if you want to do "architectural" lighting that actually involves some thought and looks like something, that's another story. Otherwise just stick with table lamps. Much better lighting anyway.

-Hal
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My parents must have been saving money with low-wattage bulbs. Could never see squat in any of the bedrooms. LOL
Eventually they wired for ceiling fans, but still didn't put lights in them. GAH!
 
The separate-circuit rules only apply to kitchens and bathrooms; probably a good idea to include garages.

I personally prefer them separate, however. A single 15a lighting circuit and a single 2oa receptacle circuit, for example, serving a bedroom/hall/bath area.

When are all of the lights usually turned on? While running the vacuum cleaner, of course.
 
would think that if Michigan has adopted one of the more recent ASHRE standards there is probably a requirement to use either a High efficacy luminare or a vacancy sensor or dimmer. You would need to be careful not to use a low wattage sensor for a switched receptacle.
 
ActionDave said:
Barring a local amendment he is 100% wrong. Even worse he is abusing his position as an inspector to advance, at best, his misguided agenda and, at worst, his personal one. It won't do any good to get in his face, but like others have said I would ask him for a code reference, in addition I would ask for his supervisor's number.
Click to expand...

I'm starting to like you :)
 
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