Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: Scotty B., Location: Tennessee
Asked on: Friday, March 18, 2011 at 11:35 am EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 2:59 am EDT
Question: In a new bath with 1 GFCI 20A recept. installed by the sink, can that circuit also be used to supply everything else in the bathroom(i.e...Ex Fan, Lighting)? My interpretation of the code says yes(based on the exception). But, the exception to 210.11(C)(3) confuses me when it refers to 210.23(A1&A2).Thanks
Yes, the circuit with the GFCI receptacle at the sink can also supply everything else in the bathroom (excluding appliances fastened in place).Code Interpretation
Section 210.11(C)(3)
Every bathroom shall have at least one 120-volt, 20-ampere receptacle receptacle outlet on a circuit provided only for bathroom receptacle outlets.
Exception
Receptacle outlets for appliances fastened in place [such as a hair dryer receptacle] are not required to be on the circuit required by this section.*
Section 210.23(A1&A2)
Branch circuits required by 210.11 shall have no other outlets. Exception: A receptacle outlet for a clock may be connected to any branch circuit of the appropriate voltage, including circuits supplying bathroom receptacle outlets required by 210.11(C)(3).
Analysis:
The exception to 210.11(C)(3) states that receptacle outlets for appliances fastened in place are not required to be on the bathroom receptacle circuit. However, this exception does not exclude other electrical devices such as exhaust fans and lighting.Meanwhile, Section 210.23(A1&A2) clarifies that branch circuits for bathroom receptacle outlets (as required by 210.11(C)(3)) can also supply clock receptacles. This suggests that the circuit is not restricted to only receptacle outlets.Therefore, you can interpret the code to allow the bathroom GFCI receptacle circuit to supply other devices like the exhaust fan and lighting. The purpose of the GFCI is to protect people from electrical shocks, and this protection should extend to all outlets in the bathroom. Flag for review