Replies

1. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Mar 20, 2009 08:21pm | #1

   First a little nag:  Go fill out your profile!  Building requirements are very localized due to climate and building codes, it's very helpful to know where you live.  We promise not to TP your house.  Not until next year at least ;)

    

   The circuit you are reffering to is called a GCFI.  This senses any extra current leaking out from the main current flow (say through your hand to the metal faucet) and trips the breaker before life and limb are likely threatened).  EVERY circuit in a bathroom should be GCFI protected - including the lights!  While you will usually see GCFI outlets, there are also GCFI without outlets that are good if your outlets and lights are on seperate circuits.  You can put it in next to your main light switch.

    

   As for switching a fan, or light, in a wet area here is my suggestion:  Air switch.  Modern garbage disposals and Jacuzzi style tubs both use this kind of switch.  Instead of the power contacts being in the wall, they are far away from the water - connected only by a rubber tube and air pressure.  I have a light switch like this in my shower, right next to the valve!

   Pool supply stores can set you up with what you need.

   Tu stultus es
   Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
   Also a CRX fanatic!

   Look, just send me to my drawer.  This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.

1. 
   Crockny | Mar 20, 2009 09:23pm | #2

   Kerhonkson, New York -- didn't occur to me to give this info!

   Thanks for the advice -- will look into it ... I like the air switch idea ... would hate to electrocute myself ...

2. 
   glatt | Mar 20, 2009 09:32pm | #3

   If the instructions tell you to put it on a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) circuit to have it within the shower, then you need to do that. It also makes good sense.

3. 
   Mongo | Mar 20, 2009 10:39pm | #4

   If you can it's easiest to protect the entire bathroom with a GFIC circuit breaker. To a certain extent being able to do that could depend on the existing wiring in the house.

   For shower vents, I prefer a timed switch. You turn the switch on, the fan and the shower light turn on. Turn the switch off and the light turns off but the fan runs for a preset period of time to continue venting moist air from the shower.

4. 
   DaveRicheson | Mar 20, 2009 11:39pm | #5

   If the fan is rated for a damp or wet location you may place it in the shower enclosure. This generally means a ducted type fan unit, where the drive motor is either sealed or located on the outside of the duct. As pointed out in your instruction, it may be used if protected by a GFCI circuit. That means a breaker in your main panel, not a GFCI receptical (at least for my inspector). The switch may be located out side the shower enclosure, as once the device is outside the enclosure it is no longer in a damp or wet location..

   IMO fans that are not rated for wet locations but use the alternate wiring methods have a shorten life span. Moisture accumulates in the motors over time and they corrode and die of exposure. Look at the unit and see if it has asealed motor in it. If it does you are good to go. If not, count on replacing it in a few years.

1. 
   BillHartmann | Mar 21, 2009 01:19am | #7

   " it may be used if protected by a GFCI circuit. That means a breaker in your main panel, not a GFCI receptical (at least for my inspector)."There is nothing in the code that prohibits the use feeding it down stream of a GFCI receptacle or deadface GFCI.Also I don't like the have the all of the lights in the bathroom wired so that they are protected by the same GFCI or GFCI breaker.A trip will put you in the dark..
   William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe

1. 
   Dam_inspector | Mar 21, 2009 01:23am | #8

   I hate it when the light goes out, and I have to go back down to the basement to reset it.

2. 
   DaveRicheson | Mar 23, 2009 01:44pm | #10

   There is nothing in the code that prohibits the use feeding it down stream of a GFCI receptacle or deadface GFCI

    

    (at least for my inspector)."

    

   Qualifier

1. 
   wane | Mar 23, 2009 03:37pm | #11

   switch has to be 1 m (u USs can convert for you code) from the shower ..

5. 
   Dam_inspector | Mar 21, 2009 01:03am | #6

   My bath fan is on a GFCI and it trips when I turn off the fan if the light is off. Sometimes it trips when the light is on when I turn off the fan. It's over the shower.

   Watch Ask This Old House when they show adding a bath fan to an old house without one. I just saw it yesterday. Same show is on tomorrow.

6. 
   Dave45 | Mar 21, 2009 03:21am | #9

   Unless you have a huge shower, you might be better off locating the exhaust fan in a more central location. Sometimes an exhaust fan has to deal with the fumes from a beef and bean burrito don't ya know. - or the light might not be in the best place.

   When I put in our exhaust fans, SWMBO insisted that I rewire them so the lights and fans were separately switched. That's a handy thing to do as long as you always run the fan if you're in the shower.