Electrical – Why is the power to three bathrooms’ lights out

electrical

I have no lights in any of my bathrooms which i have 3.i checked all outlets and they have power. I reset all breakers and still no lights. Any ideas?

Best Answer

Let's think about the bathroom wiring rules for a second. The latest Code says you use one of two methods for the 20A circuit that must be dedicated to bathroom receptacles.

  • In one case, a circuit can power receptacles in any number of bathrooms, but only bathroom receptacles, not fixed loads in the bathroom such as lights.
  • In the other case, a circuit can power receptacles in one bathroom only, but can also power fixed loads like lights in that same bathroom. This is a weaker design since if you trip the bathroom breaker, the lights go out.

It sounds like your builder used method #1, with a twist, he put in a second circuit right alongside that powered each bathroom's lights.

No breakers are tripped, OK. In modern construction they are fond of a connection method on switches called "backstabs", where the wire is jabbed into a hole on the back. These are prone to failure, and it is the first place I would look. Putting the wires properly around the side screws is the far more reliable way.

Any wiring failure in a chain from the panel is either at the failing location, or at the last working location prior. I would expect to find it in the nearest bathroom to the panel.

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