Wiring – use a single 20-amp breaker for a bathroom and adjacent small bedroom in the basement

wiring

I am in the process of wiring my basement.
1. Main area
2. Hallway
3. Small Bath
4. Small Bedroom with egress window.

I have a single 15-amp and 20-amp wire coming in from the electrical panel located in the garage.

Based on my reading I should use 12-2 Romex for all the outlets (even though the builder only use 15-amp for the new construction ). Then use 14-2 Romex for any lighting? Is this true?

So, I guess my real question is do I actually need a single circuit for the bathroom or can I share the circuit with bathroom and bedroom.

Best Answer

Nope, you'll need 2 circuits for this

Bathroom receptacles must be on a 20A branch circuit that is either dedicated to bathroom receptacles (and no other loads), or to the loads in a single bathroom (and no other rooms), as per NEC 210.11(C)(3):

(3) Bathroom Branch Circuits. In addition to the number of branch circuits required by other parts of this section, at least one 120-volt, 20-ampere branch circuit shall be provided to supply the bathroom(s) receptacle outlet(s). Such circuits shall have no other outlets.

Exception: Where the 20-ampere circuit supplies a single bathroom, outlets for other equipment within the same bathroom shall be permitted to be supplied in accordance with 210.23(A)(1) and (A)(2).

As a result, the 20A circuit will need to feed the bathroom receptacles (and possibly the rest of the bathroom's loads as well), while all other loads (general receptacles outside the bathroom, and lighting loads) will go on the remaining 15A circuit. All wiring on the 20A circuit will need to be 12AWG, as well.

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