Bathroom Electrical Code Requirements
Besides potential shock hazards fire safety is an issue that is addressed in bathroom electrical code a well as other important factors.
Bathroom electrical code requirements. In general the more buffer room the better. Like the wiring in other parts of the home the electrical service in bathrooms must follow the code requirements set forth by your local building inspections office. 2 separate sinks built next to each other also have to have a spacing of 4 inches or more. Dry damp and wet.
Electrical codes for bathrooms are different than every other part of the house and for good reason. Some codes require that bathrooms have their own circuits. The 4 inch rule also applies to the spacing between the sink and the. Ventilation is a classic example of good design rules picking up where code leaves off.
No other area of a home has more potential for water and electricity to meet. All bathroom sinks should be 4 inches from the side walls at minimum and should also have at least 21 inches of front clearance. There are minimum clearances and spaces that are determined by local regulators. The most common reference for rules regarding what type of lightning fixture can be used in a bathroom is the national electrical code book published by the national fire protection association.
This circuit shall have no other outlets except bathroom receptacles. As a blanket rule bathroom designers tend to agree that all code required distances should be increased by 2 to 4. Others permit bathrooms to share circuits with receptacles or lights in other rooms. But when you run new electrical cable for new service whether wiring several circuits or adding just one receptacle be sure to work with a building inspector and comply with all local codes.
Home electrical wiring for bathrooms lighting must be either. On dimmer switches provide a manual on occupancy sensor or be all fluorescent lighting. In some locales all bathroom wiring including the lights must be gfci protected. While many communities base their local codes precisely on the nec it is also possible for local requirements to be either more lenient or more stringent depending on the community.
Bathroom electrical code requirements. It is a good idea to check with your local building inspections office to find out the electrical requirements for bathrooms before you plan your new or remodeled bathroom. The lights and fan must be on a different circuit from the receptacle s. The 2014 copy is the latest edition and defines three types of conditions.
Over the years these requirements have become more exacting as the code strives to keep pace in increasing electrical demands in bathrooms.