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Discussion Forum

GFCI Breaker vs. receptacle

ckorto | Posted in Construction Techniques on March 26, 2007 07:46am

Wiring a new bathroom in a basement.  2 outlets, 3 lights.  One fan/light over the shower.  So I have to go GFCI with the fan/light, not just the outlets.    Should I go GFCI Breaker or run everything off the GFCI Receptacle.  Cost not really a factor.  Just the inconvenience of going to the box if it should trip and explaining to the homeowner why their bathroom outlet doesn’t have red and black buttons like their friends does.

 

Chuck in Cleveland

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  1. User avater
    InspectorDude | Mar 26, 2007 08:04am | #1

    Hi Chuck,

    "Outlets" are defined as receptacles, lights and switches.  Article 210.8(A) of the National Electrical Code states that receptacles installed in bathrooms require ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.  Manufacturers of luminnaires (light fixtures) recommend GFCI protection of lights in the tub/shower surround.

    I recommend a 20-amp circuit on a GFCI receptacle at the counter.  A GFCI breaker will not improve protection - and if it trips, the homeowner has to put on fuzzy slippers to go outdoors or in the garage to reset this device.  The new generation of GFCI devices have white buttons (not just red and black) and if an unskilled tradesperson wires it incorrectly - no power.

    1. BryanSayer | Mar 26, 2007 07:02pm | #4

      It is true that if a breaker trips, you have to put on slippers and go to the breaker box to reset it.BUT, I know that the breaker box is the ONLY place I have to look. In our carriage house it turns out that the outside light comes off of one of the GFCI outlets in the garage. The one that is the furthest away from the light. Took me hours to figure out that was the case. I finally put an LED night light in an outlet on that circuit so that I can easily see whether it has been tripped.If possible, I try to always go with the breakers. Just personal preference.

  2. renosteinke | Mar 26, 2007 04:52pm | #2

    It's strictly a matter of what's more convenient.

    I can sometimes be difficult to identify what is the "first" box on a circuit. Or, the old boxes may not have room for the GFI. Or the 'first' box is the light. In these cases, a breaker may be the easier choice.

  3. User avater
    BillHartmann | Mar 26, 2007 05:24pm | #3

    The advantage of using the GFCI receptacle is that the other 2 lights won't go off if the GFCI trips.

    Or you can isolated more by using another GFCI receptacle (or a deadface unit) to feed the shower fan/light.

    .
    .
    A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
  4. r | Mar 27, 2007 12:44am | #5

    Just to emphasize the answer to your statement, "So I have to go GFCI with the fan/light": 

    NEC 210.8 requires receptacles in bathrooms to be GFCI protected.  lights and fans are not required to be.  There are obvious advantages and disadvantages of doing so - it's your call.

    1. User avater
      BillHartmann | Mar 27, 2007 02:33am | #6

      "NEC 210.8 requires receptacles in bathrooms to be GFCI protected. lights and fans are not required to be. There are obvious advantages and disadvantages of doing so - it's your call."While true that is not the only section that covers fans and lights.They are also required to be installed PERE MANUFACTURES INSTRUCTIONS.For fans in a wet area (tub or shower) many manufactures do require them to be GFCI protected..
      .
      A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

    2. jja28 | Mar 27, 2007 04:06am | #8

      Just curious...but other than a fan and/or light that is close enough to a shower/tub that it needs to be on a GFCI protected circuit....I thought the thinking behind not having a light on the GFCI protected circuit in a bathroom was so that if at night....if you splash water on the outlet...the breaker kicks... the light stays on and you're not left in the dark?Or is this way off?

      1. r | Mar 27, 2007 04:43am | #9

        Well, it is hard to speculate what is on the minds of an NEC code making panel, but my thinking would be along the same lines as yours:  the chance of a shock from a fan or light is pretty low;  weigh that against the possibility of injury by slipping on a wet floor in the dark.

        I'm sure Bill is right that if the fan manufacturer requires GFCI protection, the NEC would say you must follow that instruction.  If they just recommend GFCI protection, I think it's still up to you and your inspector, but that is a grey area as far as I'm concerned.

      2. User avater
        BillHartmann | Mar 27, 2007 05:43am | #10

        In this case there are other lights.But that is my I suggested using GFCI receptacles (or deadface) and not the breaker. That way each part is protected separately..
        .
        A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

        1. ckorto | Mar 27, 2007 06:14am | #11

          Thanks for the advice everyone.  The reason I need GFCI protection for the fan/ light is that it is located directly above the shower.  Not what I prefer but in a basement bathroom of an old house you take what you can get.  Although the breaker box is located in the basement  I don't like the idea of losing the lights if the GFCI trips.

          Thanks again, Chuck

          1. User avater
            Soultrain | Mar 27, 2007 06:30pm | #12

            I personally like the breakers vs receptacles because I have little kids who like to push buttons.

  5. Waters | Mar 27, 2007 03:00am | #7

    If I remember correctly, The GFCI is quite a bit more expensive than the receptacle, no?

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