Electrical – what should i use to wire this bathroom

basementbathroomelectrical

I'm in the process of finishing my basement. So far, framing's done, HVAC ductwork's done, and I'm now working on the electricals.

So I've got a 60amp subpanel bringing in power, and off of this, I have a few circuits. This question is about the bathroom circuit.

I need to wire the bathroom with a GFCI outlet, (and downstream from it) a couple of lights and an exhaust fan. In addition, the GFCI will also supply 6 other receptacles, one of which will probably serve a refrigerator. I've already bought a 20amp AFCI breaker (and also have a couple of spare 15amp AFCIs, so can use either).

Here are my questions:

  • Can I use a 15amp AFCI to supply this bathroom and the additional outlets, with 14 gauge wire?
  • If I must use the 20amp, can I use 12/2 only up until the GFCI and then 14/2 from that point onwards? Of course, the light and fan will use a 14/3 for convenience.
  • Is it acceptable to chain a refrigerator off of a bath circuit? No dishwashers, garbage disposals, etc.
  • In the future, will this (either 15amp or 20amp) breaker support a portable microwave oven? Say, 1000W?

Best Answer

You'll need at least one 20 ampere circuit to supply the bathroom receptacles, which cannot serve any other rooms.

You cannot use 14 AWG conductors anywhere on a 20 ampere circuit, all the conductors must be 12 AWG or larger.

The likely course is to have one GFCI protected 20 ampere circuit to serve the bathroom receptacles. One 15 or 20 ampere circuit to supply the lighting in the bathroom (this will include the exhaust fan). And one 15 or 20 ampere circuit to supply the refrigerator. Later when you want to add the microwave, you can install another 15 ampere circuit to supply it.

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