GFCI in bathroom

philp · Sep 7, 2009

My bathroom has a hallway switch which turns on the light (above vanity) and also turns "on" a grounded outlet.

I'd like to change this to a GFCI outlet which is always "on" with the switch for the lights still working.

Can anyone tell me the best way to do this with minimal re-wiring?

I thought about removing the hallway switch, changing the outlet to GFCI and then adding a switch downstream of this inside the bathroom for the lights. Would this work? I think for code safety I have to put a blank plate where the old switch was which isn't ideal but I could live with it.

hj · Sep 7, 2009

rewiring

Until you know how the existing wiring is installed, you will not know whether your changes amount to a minor rewiring, or a semi major one. If the two devices are close to each other it might just require one more wire between them, although a switch in the hall turning on a bathroom light is definitely an ODD arrangement.

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

philp · Sep 8, 2009

hj said:
Until you know how the existing wiring is installed, you will not know whether your changes amount to a minor rewiring, or a semi major one.

The switch has two wires: one from the supply and one to the bathroom outlet. The outlet has two wires: one from the switch and one to the lights. The lights have one wire from the outlet.

Is this sufficient?

hj said:
If the two devices are close to each other it might just require one more wire between them, although a switch in the hall turning on a bathroom light is definitely an ODD arrangement.

I don't think it is odd - just old fashioned.

PEW · Sep 8, 2009

For conventional wiring it will require another run from the switch to the outlet.

Another option would be utilizing an Insteon product available from Smarthome, but it may not be cost effective.

hj · Sep 8, 2009

switch

It is odd because it means that someone walking down the hallway could see the switch is turned on and turn it off, regardless of whether the bathroom is occupied or not. In some cases it could create a hazardous situation if someone is suddenly plunged into darkness and becomes disoriented.

philp · Sep 8, 2009

hj said:
It is odd because it means that someone walking down the hallway could see the switch is turned on and turn it off, regardless of whether the bathroom is occupied or not. In some cases it could create a hazardous situation if someone is suddenly plunged into darkness and becomes disoriented.

Yes - so how can I solve this?

Alectrician · Sep 8, 2009

The switch has two wires: one from the supply and one to the bathroom outlet. The outlet has two wires: one from the switch and one to the lights. The lights have one wire from the outlet.

I assume you mean cables rather than wires.

Is the bathroom receptacle in a good place to relocate the switch?

This may be simple.

philp · Sep 9, 2009

220/221 said:
I assume you mean cables rather than wires.

Is the bathroom receptacle in a good place to relocate the switch?

This may be simple.

Yes - cables, with each cable being 14/2 with ground.

Yes the switch could go where the receptacle is now and the new GFCI outlet below it at counter height. Does this make it simple? Should the switch be affected by the GFCI i.e. if it trips should the switch loose power or if someone turns on the switch with wet hands will the GFCI kick in and provide protection?

hj · Sep 9, 2009

gfci

The answer to those questions lies in how you rewire the GFCI and switch. If the GFCI trips and turns off the light, you have the same situation as the switch being in the hall, namely that the occupant may suddenly find him/her self in the dark.

philp · Sep 9, 2009

hj said:
The answer to those questions lies in how you rewire the GFCI and switch. If the GFCI trips and turns off the light, you have the same situation as the switch being in the hall, namely that the occupant may suddenly find him/her self in the dark.

Good point, thanks - so what's the "right" way to rewire?

Speedy Petey · Sep 9, 2009

philp said:
Good point, thanks - so what's the "right" way to rewire?

Run a new 12/2 cable from the panel to a new GFI receptacle.

Alectrician · Sep 9, 2009

Good point, thanks - so what's the "right" way to rewire?

Trick question

Run a new 12/2 cable from the panel to a new GFI receptacle.

Code requires a dedicated 20 amp circuit for bathroom receps so Petey told you the right way.

I will give you another version of the right way using the existing 15 amp circuit but don't blame me when the hair dyer/curling iron combination trips the breaker.

In the existing switch box, tie all blacks to blacks, whites to whites and grounds to grounds. Install a blank cover plate on the jbox.

You have now have two cables in your recep box.

1. 120V power.

2. Switch leg to the fixture.

You can change the recep box to a 2 gang or you can add a box for the recep next to/below it if there is room in the wall cavity. When you decide which way to go, I will give you step by step...but I'm out of communication from thur thru Monday.

The basic wiring is:

Black and white = hot and neutral.

The GFCI recep requires a hot and neutral

The light switch only controls the hot side. It makes or breaks the connection on the blach wire going to the light. The neutral wire from the light ties to the incoming neutral.

Scuba_Dave · Sep 9, 2009

Is this a 1/2 bath = toilet & sink?

If it's a full bath I'd definitely do what Speedy said & run a dedicated 20a circuit to a GFCI outlet
Heck - Me - I'd even do it for a 1/2 bath
Wife loves that high powered hair dryer

philp · Sep 10, 2009

220/221 said:
When you decide which way to go, I will give you step by step...

Can I do both? i.e. as a temporary measure blank off the existing switch, replace the outlet with GFCI and add new switch inside bathroom. (I'm not sure how to wire this to be safest?)

I need to add a receptacle to another bathroom (both are full bathrooms) so when I do this I will run a new 12/2 cable. Is it ok to run both bathrooms off the same 12/2 circuit? Can I just use one GFCI (at the first outlet)? Should lighting and outlets be on separate circuits i.e. keep the 14/2 cable for lighting?

The bathroom outlet is used for hair drying but so is an outlet in the bedroom by the dressing table - should this be on 12/2 20A fuse as well?

Alectrician · Sep 10, 2009

when I do this I will run a new 12/2 cable. Is it ok to run both bathrooms off the same 12/2 circuit? Can I just use one GFCI (at the first outlet)? Should lighting and outlets be on separate circuits i.e. keep the 14/2 cable for lighting?

Yes, yes and yes

Can I do both?

I meant, when you decide if you want to change the recep box to a 2 gang or you can add a box for the recep or switch next to/below it

I am on my way out so I'll give you the easy way.

Change the box to a 2 gang.

Remove old box.This may be really easy or it may require some effort. If for some reason you have a 4" square box and a single gang mud ring, you can simply change the ring (screws in opposite corners)

Install new 2 gang (plastic) in it's place securing it to the stud with drywall screws.

Incoming cable:

Install two pigtails on the black. One for the switch and one for the recep.

Switch leg cable: Hook white to incoming white and leave a pigtail for the recep. Black goes to switch .

Grounds tie together with pigtails for switch and recep.

philp · Sep 10, 2009

Excellent - thanks 220/221 - very clear and I'm good to go!

GFCI in bathroom

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