I am remodeling a bathroom and a den which are on the same floor. The current bathroom has no outlets and only has one light on the ceiling. The current light is sharing the power with the den light. Power comes from breaker panel to bathroom light and then out to the den light. I plan to add a 20A new line from the breaker panel which will allow me to add a vent fan and a GFCI outlet by the sink. This bathroom is only a sink and a toilet. The current light on in the bathroom ceiling is also running to the main light in the den. Is there any reason that I can't leave the wires running in the back of the box of the new vent fan/light? I really don't want to have to snake a new line from the breaker panel to the den light. Also do I really need a 20A line for just the fan/light and one outlet? Thanks for all your help.
Bathroom Electrical Issue
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Probably not.
You should be able to add the vent fan (and a switch for it) to the existing (15A) light circuit and you should be able to add the new GFI to the existing (20A) receptacle circuit. You'll have to do some poking to know.
Currently there is only one 15A line running the bathroom light and the den light. So you are saying I can add the fan to this circuit assuming I'm not exceeding the load on the line? In addition, I would add a 20A line just for the outlet in the bathroom which doesn't currently exist yet (currently there is no outlet in the bathroom at all). I guess 20A is required for a bath outlet for hairdryer and stuff like that. Your answer doesn't require me to share the box but is there anything wrong with using a box as a pass through for a different circuit? Thanks.
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As long as the box isn't stuffed, you may have separate circuits within a single junction box. I would however number them for future reference.
Thanks. One last question...when installing the vent fan I think you don't have an additional electrical box and you make your connections inside the fan housing. If that is correct, how would I run the second line through? Do I have to leave a secondary electrical box with a cover? I know I can't cover up junctions in the wall.
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Correct.
If you poke around some more you will find ANOTHER (20A) circuit feeding receptacles in the basement. Adding another (gfi) to that for the bathroom should also be fine.
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You may consider the fan termination box as a junction box, provided it is large enough to have multiple splices. Two different circuits can enter and leave that fan box if need be[a little unorthodox perhaps, but quite legal]. If box is too small however, then things get a tad tougher. But we'll cross that bridge only if you come to it.
Maybe I need a new post for this question but I hope you guys are still around. In the setup described above there is a 15A line coming from the breaker going into the bathroom to give power to the ceiling light. In addition the line is split off and running to the den light which is then controlled by two switches on each side of the room. I would like to add an additional light but don't have any access in the den room. As I am not so farmiliar with three ways please bare with me. Can I run a new romex line from my new box to the bathroom box which is supplying power to the light in the den and connect in the same exact way? Will the three way switch work on both lights or will the light I added just stay on all the time since it is independent of the switch. I have a feeling I will need to run a line from the existing den light to the new den light. It's gonna be a lot more work but I think it's the only way. Please let me know what you think.
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If you want the hall light to turn on and off with the three way switches, you will need to tap off of the den light fixture.
If you want an independent switch to control the hall light, you will tap off the line heading into the den [most likely in the bathroom from your drawing] and fish a new switch leg down the wall in the hall.
If you want an independent switch to control the hall light, you will tap off the line heading into the den [most likely in the bathroom from your drawing] and fish a new switch leg down the wall in the hall.
I was wrong. I opened up all the boxes last night. The junction box in the bathroom has line running to light and line running to switch one. Switch one then goes to switch 2. I can add another line by wiring into the bathroom junction just like the den light is currently connected. I'm pretty sure I'm all set but let me know if I'm missing something. Thanks.
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You can tap into the den light circuit provided
that you tap into the right wires !
Remember three way switchs are wired differently.
there are three wires to each switch, rather than the usual two.
I suggest that you google it, and have a look at how they are wired.
once you understand, it will be much easier.
If not, post a pic of the wires.
that you tap into the right wires !
Remember three way switchs are wired differently.
there are three wires to each switch, rather than the usual two.
I suggest that you google it, and have a look at how they are wired.
once you understand, it will be much easier.
If not, post a pic of the wires.
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