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04-10-2009, 08:37 PM
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#1
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Member
Trade:
RESIDENTIAL REMODELING
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: shreveport la
Posts: 50
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Bath Fan/heater
Replacing bath fan/light/heater, says must be on 20 amp dedicated circuit.
Current fan/heater/light is on dedicated circuit, 12 gauge from panel to three switches then 14 gauge(2 14/3 romex) from switches to fan/heater/light.
Breaker in panel is 20 amp.
Question?? Is the 14 gauge between the three switches and the fan/light/heater ok or must it also be 12 gauge.
Thanks
John
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04-10-2009, 08:39 PM
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#2
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LRG WoodCrafting
Trade:
Professional Sawdust Producer
Join Date: May 2005
Location: USA, Connecticut
Posts: 3,902
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Should be 12 ga. If the current draw of the unit doesn't exceed 15 amps you could/should change the breaker to a 15 amp.
__________________
Measure Twice Cut Once -- It's a lot easier to cut more off then it is to cut MORON.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HusqyPro
Carpenter by day.
Mad scientist by night.
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04-10-2009, 08:56 PM
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#3
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Member
Trade:
Electrical Helper
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: NJ
Posts: 48
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Not legal, put it on a 15 amp breaker or change the 14 ga to 12 ga.
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04-10-2009, 11:16 PM
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#4
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Remodeler Extraordinare
Trade:
General Contractor
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Bay Area California
Posts: 810
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Change the switch legs to 12 gauge. Do not change the breaker to a 15 amp breaker when the specs require a 20 amp breaker.
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04-11-2009, 12:04 AM
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#5
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God Bless America
Trade:
Electrician
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Rahway, New Jersey
Posts: 3,400
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Checkout 110.3(B) and you tell me.
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04-11-2009, 07:41 AM
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#6
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Remodeler Extraordinare
Trade:
General Contractor
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Bay Area California
Posts: 810
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnettica
Checkout 110.3(B) and you tell me.
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D'ohh I hate it when my warranty is voided. 
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04-11-2009, 09:23 AM
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#7
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Member
Trade:
Electrical Helper
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: NJ
Posts: 48
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnettica
Checkout 110.3(B) and you tell me.
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04-11-2009, 03:19 PM
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#8
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God Bless America
Trade:
Electrician
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Rahway, New Jersey
Posts: 3,400
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I was going to say if the fan says nothing about needing an individual 20 amp circuit to change the 20 amp breaker to 15 amps. Of course this depends on the wattage rating on the fan but still a lot simpler than changing the switch legs out to #12.
15a x 120v =1800 watts.
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04-11-2009, 10:06 PM
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#9
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Member
Trade:
Electrical Helper
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: NJ
Posts: 48
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnettica
I was going to say if the fan says nothing about needing an individual 20 amp circuit to change the 20 amp breaker to 15 amps. Of course this depends on the wattage rating on the fan but still a lot simpler than changing the switch legs out to #12.
15a x 120v =1800 watts.
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He said it says it must have a 20 amp dedicated circuit so I think hes only got one option
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04-11-2009, 10:45 PM
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#10
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God Bless America
Trade:
Electrician
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Rahway, New Jersey
Posts: 3,400
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the simplest way to do this then is to run a new 20 amp ckt and switch leg. Messing with the old wiring really adds to labor time.
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04-11-2009, 11:03 PM
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#11
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Member
Trade:
Journeyman Electrician IBEW
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 46
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnettica
the simplest way to do this then is to run a new 20 amp ckt and switch leg. Messing with the old wiring really adds to labor time.
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No he's already got the #12 awg. from breaker to switches, it's from the switches to the fan/heat/light that the #14 kicks in. Original installer was probably thinking each of the 3 switchlegs is less than 15a so what the hay...
Changeout the 2 14/3 switchlegs to one 12/4 and you're golden.
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04-15-2009, 07:54 PM
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#12
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Registered User
Trade:
Home Theater Design & Installation
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 15
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I have to fix a similar issue in my own home...
20A circuits that have 14/3 wired between the two switches, but the rest of the wire is 12/2.
This was done on two circuits in the house. I assumed he didn't have any 12/3 on his truck.
If am I not mistaken, wire guage must remain the same on the entire circuit, regardless of the CB being used.
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04-15-2009, 07:56 PM
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#13
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LRG WoodCrafting
Trade:
Professional Sawdust Producer
Join Date: May 2005
Location: USA, Connecticut
Posts: 3,902
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The circuit breaker must be sized for the smallest wire in the circuit.
__________________
Measure Twice Cut Once -- It's a lot easier to cut more off then it is to cut MORON.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HusqyPro
Carpenter by day.
Mad scientist by night.
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http://lrgwood.com
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