Help with bathroom wiring - URGENTLY NEEDED

cfonseca · 02-09-2007, 11:18 AM

I have 2 questions regarding wiring switches in the bathroom.

First, how do I wire 3 lighting switches and 1 GFI? I can't figure out how to wire it so that power is supplied to all the switches. I can get the GFI wired and one switch but then I don't have power for the remaining switches.

Second, I have to wire a bathroom fan with heat, fan and lighting to switches. I'm assuming each wire from the fixture is connected to the switch but again how do I supply power to the multiple switches from one feed line?

Thanks in advance for the help!

darren · 02-09-2007, 05:47 PM

Not to be a jerk but if you can't figure out how to wire 3 switches from one source, why are you even doing electrical work. Guess i should be thankful i am not your neighbour.

I am also a nice guy so i will tell you how to do it. I assume all your switches are in the same box. There are two ways to do it, you can take the one wire coming in and make 3 pigtails with it. Take 3 pieces of wire about 6" long, make a joint with the source and then you have 3 wires for your switches.

You can also leave the source wire really long and at the first switch take enough insulation off the wire to go around the screw(don't cut it yet) continune onto the second switch, strip enough insualation to go around screw(put those side cutters away, not time to cut yet) go to the last switch cut it off put a loop and attach it the screw, then you have power at all 3 switches. Hope that makes sense for you.

cfonseca · 02-09-2007, 06:22 PM

To answer your questions snd allay your fears as to my inexpertise. I'm not an electrical 'anything'; I'm a consultant but I've been left high and dry by a contractor who has decided finishing my bathroom is not a high priority! Usually, I change out a single fixture and that's it. Necessity forces me to take drastic measures. SO never fear, your job is safe and so are you.

And yes, it does make sense. I needed someone with some experience to tell me what I had determined was the only way to wire it was at least possible.

RobertWilber · 02-15-2007, 04:44 PM

If you are doing this from scratch, you might consider that one circuit may not satisfy your needs here.
Check your heat load and you may find that you need a separate circuit for the heat/vent/light unit.
also, just because the doctor doesn't come doesn't necessarily mean it would be a good time to take up surgery as a pastime ...

frenchelectrican · 02-16-2007, 02:42 AM

the other thing about the bathroom vent / light / heater is that the heater side will useally take up to 1500 watt easy so if your instuction say wire the heater side seprated from other lighting circuit then follow it very carefully here

other wise run this unit on it own circuit [ this will be the best move for this unit ]

Merci , Marc