Wiring – Adding a new electrical outlet to lighting circuit

light-fixturelightingreceptaclewiring

My house was built in the mid 70s, MBWC everywhere. Many lighting circuits are also connected to the outlets. What I want to do is connect a receptacle upto the switch for the pantry so that when someone turns on the pantry lights, the socket will turn on (I will be connecting this socket to LED light strips to illuminate the shelves). What do I need to think about to be within code?:

  • Am I allowed to add new sockets onto lighting circuit nowadays?
  • Do I need to worry about lighting per square foot?
  • Overloading the lights – well I only use LED lights, but someone
    in the future might stick something else in, right? What do I tell
    the inspector? I currently count at least 17 lights (14 of those
    recessed) on this branch (15A 110V), and like I said earlier,
    there are some sockets on this as well. I use all LEDs, but
    someone in the future might stick 100W incandescent bulbs in,
    overloading the branch. What does this mean for me.
  • The pantry is also the washing machine area, so I'll use a GFCI.

I'll have this permitted and inspected.

Thanks

Best Answer

Am I allowed to add new sockets onto lighting circuit nowadays?

Yes.

Do I need to worry about lighting per square foot?

Other than for your own personal preference since it's your own home, not really.

Overloading the lights - well I only use LED lights, but someone in the future might stick something else in, right? What do I tell the inspector? I currently count at least 17 lights (14 of those recessed) on this branch (15A 110V), and like I said earlier, there are some sockets on this as well. I use all LEDs, but someone in the future might stick 100W incandescent bulbs in, overloading the branch. What does this mean for me.

The load is done as is installed. If you put this outlet in and later someone wanted to run a 5000W heater on it, that's still on them to ensure that they can, not the original designer. Since all of your lights are LED, you should very well be okay. It all depends on the wattage of the fixtures on the circuit and the overall load.

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