Bath Fan/heater

John1

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

Leo G

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.

__________________
Sawdust Follows Me Everywhere

http://lrgwood.com
Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut

crazyboy

Not legal, put it on a 15 amp breaker or change the 14 ga to 12 ga.

A.W.Davis

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.

__________________
A.W. Davis Construction Co.
http://www.awdavisconstruction.com/
Your friendly remodeling contractor

Magnettica

Checkout 110.3(B) and you tell me.

__________________
Electrician service in Rahway, Cranford, Clark, Westfield, Mountainside, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Roselle, Roselle Park, and New Jersey | Same day electrical service and repairs | Licensed and Insured Electrician in Rahway

A.W.Davis

D'ohh I hate it when my warranty is voided.

__________________
A.W. Davis Construction Co.
http://www.awdavisconstruction.com/
Your friendly remodeling contractor

crazyboy

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.

__________________
Electrician service in Rahway, Cranford, Clark, Westfield, Mountainside, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Roselle, Roselle Park, and New Jersey | Same day electrical service and repairs | Licensed and Insured Electrician in Rahway

crazyboy

He said it says it must have a 20 amp dedicated circuit so I think hes only got one option

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.

__________________
Electrician service in Rahway, Cranford, Clark, Westfield, Mountainside, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Roselle, Roselle Park, and New Jersey | Same day electrical service and repairs | Licensed and Insured Electrician in Rahway

LawnGuyLand

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.

philcav7

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.

Leo G

The circuit breaker must be sized for the smallest wire in the circuit.

__________________
Sawdust Follows Me Everywhere

http://lrgwood.com
Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut